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Juvenile Corrections and Public Health Collaborations: Opportunities for Improved Health Outcomes

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Public Health Behind Bars

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Abstract

Transitions through juvenile facilities create challenges and opportunities for health promotion and intervention. The population of detained youth is disproportionately Black, Hispanic, Native American, and poor. Socioeconomic status, family structure, race, and ethnicity profoundly influence the rate of youthful incarceration. Justice-involved youth have high rates of health-risk behaviors and suffer a disproportionate rate of adolescent morbidity and mortality. Their prevalence of medical, mental health, and substance use problems far exceeds the average.

Families and communities from whence these young people derive are largely medically underserved. The period of detention presents unique opportunities for public health to reach this needy population. Incarceration and often dehumanizing circumstances are themselves unhealthy. Therefore, in addition to traditional public health engagement with communicable disease prevention, food safety, and sanitation in correctional environments, there is reason to promote its role in addressing health risks such as isolation, overcrowding, abuse (physical, sexual, and psychological), and restraints. Using its expertise, the CDC and other public health agencies should initiate and conduct ongoing surveillance and research into these practices, assessing their prevalence and impact on health. COVID-19’s revelation of the devastating socioeconomic health disparities demands urgent action in this regard.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    This prohibition does not apply while the incarcerated person is an inpatient at a community hospital for at least 24 hours.

  2. 2.

    Public health authority can be advisory or regulatory. Health departments inspect and regulate certain aspects of hospitals, nursing homes, and restaurants to enforce minimum standards.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, Decatur, GA, USA

    Michelle Staples-Horne

  2. Lansing, MI, USA

    Kenneth L. Faiver

  3. Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Yolanda Wimberly

Authors
  1. Michelle Staples-Horne
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  2. Kenneth L. Faiver
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  3. Yolanda Wimberly
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kenneth L. Faiver .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Correctional Health Care Consultant, New York, NY, USA

    Robert B. Greifinger

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Staples-Horne, M., Faiver, K.L., Wimberly, Y. (2022). Juvenile Corrections and Public Health Collaborations: Opportunities for Improved Health Outcomes. In: Greifinger, R.B. (eds) Public Health Behind Bars. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1807-3_22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1807-3_22

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