July 7, 2014

Reevaluating Role of CA Jail Systems as Health Care Providers

By Courtney M. Fowler.

With most of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) having taken effect nationwide in January, there are still many questions about how the new law will impact some formerly hard-to-reach Americans. One demographic in particular that’s being targeted more than ever is the prison population, which includes both current inmates and those who’ve been recently released.

“We know, based on the research, that the prison population is at a significantly higher risk of infectious diseases and more likely to be suffering with substance abuse and mental health issues,” said Mia Bird, Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) research fellow who lead a recent PPIC event in Sacramento to discuss the importance of ensuring that inmates are covered both before and after their prison stays.

“So despite the difficulties of reaching this group because they don’t have access to standard ways of getting coverage, it remains extremely important,” said Bird.

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Washington Prisons Will No Longer Punish Inmates For ‘Self-Harm’

self harm American Journal of Public Health: Solitary Confinement and Risk of Self-Harm Among Jail Inmates

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Washington’s prison system has announced a major policy change when it comes to inmates who harm themselves. The Department of Corrections said Thursday that it will no longer sanction inmates for cutting or other acts of self-injury.

Self-harm is associated with borderline personality disorder and other mental health conditions. Scott Frakes, Washington’s deputy prison director, said he’s seen it firsthand and it can be gruesome.

Until now, Washington inmates who hurt themselves were subject to discipline. Those violations could lead to segregation from other inmates and a loss of time off for good behavior.