From Vera:
We know that conditions behind bars—from overcrowding to poor nutrition to medical neglect—lead to adverse health outcomes for incarcerated people. But the impact of incarceration on health extends far beyond the millions of people behind bars—it affects families, corrections staff, entire communities, and public health at large. Mass incarceration is not just a criminal justice issue—it is a public health crisis.
Compared to the general population, incarcerated people experience higher rates of chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS. Mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, are also common. Incarceration often exacerbates these health conditions—or leads to new ones. For example, people who have been incarcerated are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease at younger ages and have worse outcomes compared to the general population. Research shows the stark impact of incarceration on how long one lives: each year spent in prison is associated with a two-year decline in life expectancy.
Corrections professionals also experience poor health outcomes because of harsh prison conditions. They have rates of post-traumatic stress disorder comparable to those of returning veterans of war and more than double the suicide rate of police officers. Low pay, long hours, insufficient training, and minimal emotional support make hiring and retaining staff a challenge, ultimately affecting the care and programming available within prisons.
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