Epidemiological Criminology: Contextualization of HIV/AIDS Health Care for Female Inmates

J Correct Health Care. 2015 Apr;21(2):152-63. doi: 10.1177/1078345815575349.

Abstract

Worldwide, women are increasingly being incarcerated. One unintended consequence is the increase in unhealthy female offenders. Among the more serious health concerns are HIV and AIDS. Challenges associated with caring for women with HIV/AIDS impacts not only disease management and infection control within correctional facilities but also the prisoners' home communities where they will need health care, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, housing assistance, and employment opportunities. No bridging theory has been presented that links prison and community health concerns with criminal justice policy. This article not only presents recommendations for effective HIV/AIDS policy but also suggests epidemiological criminology as a means of explicit merging of health with justice issues and consequently provides a bridging framework.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS; epidemiological criminology; incarcerated women; prison; prison health.

MeSH terms

  • Community Health Services / methods
  • Community Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Criminal Law / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Criminal Law / organization & administration*
  • Criminal Law / standards
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / therapy
  • Health Policy*
  • Health Services Accessibility / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Humans
  • Prevalence
  • Prisoners / statistics & numerical data*
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Women's Health*