B. Schulte, H. Stover, K. Thane, C. Schreiter, D. Gansefort and J. Reimer
Injection drug use (IDU) and IDU‐related infectious diseases such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are highly prevalent among prisoners…
Abstract
Injection drug use (IDU) and IDU‐related infectious diseases such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are highly prevalent among prisoners worldwide. However, little is known about the prevalence of IDUs, HCV/HIV and the availability of respective treatment options in German prisons. Data provided by prison physicians of 31 prisons, representing 14,537 inmates, were included in this analysis. The proportion of IDUs among all prisoners was 21.9%. Substitution treatment was available in three out of four prisons (74.2%). Overall, 1137 substitution treatments were provided annually with a wide range of treatment aims. The prevalence rate was 14.3% for HCV and 1.2% for HIV. Around 5.5% of all HCV‐infected prisoners were in antiviral treatment annually, 86.5% of all HIV‐positive inmates in antiretroviral HIV‐treatment. Generally, substitution treatment, and HCV and HIV testing and treatment are available. However, due to abstinence‐orientated treatment aims, substitution treatment is rarely available as maintenance treatment, and HCV/HIV‐treatment is mainly provided for patients with an existing treatment before imprisonment. The inconsistent data quality necessitates changes in prison‐related policy to improve surveillance and to generate aggregated data in German prisons. The selection process in this analysis might lead to overestimating the provision of substitution and antiviral HCV‐treatment.
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Nicholas Thomson, Gary Reid and Kate Dolan
Custodial settings are high‐risk environments for HIV. This paper examines publicly available data about the drug use and risk behaviours of Thai and Indonesian prisoners and…
Abstract
Custodial settings are high‐risk environments for HIV. This paper examines publicly available data about the drug use and risk behaviours of Thai and Indonesian prisoners and outlines a process used to collect new data. In 2005, the Departments of Corrections in Thailand and Indonesia requested researchers examine HIV and drug use issues but the findings are too sensitive to publish. The Departments of Corrections in Thailand and Indonesia are using the results to develop public health responses.
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Tereza Dlestikova and Márta Miklósi
The aim of the paper is to emphasize the importance of physical activity in prisons, its link to mental health and the potential for desistance bringing the perspective of two…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the paper is to emphasize the importance of physical activity in prisons, its link to mental health and the potential for desistance bringing the perspective of two Eastern European countries – Czechia and Hungary. The paper aims to show that sport in prison has to be seriously considered as an activity that has the potential to positively contribute to the physical and mental health of prison inmates. The aim of the paper is to show that sport in prison is a very potential rehabilitative tool. Doing sport in prison presents an opportunity for meaningful leisure and contributes to the development of good leisure habits.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology integrates a literature review and legal analysis, complemented by practical experiences, which provide both theoretical and empirical understanding of the research topic; the review covers international research papers regarding sports activities in prisons and also the legal framework of the topic, both the international one and the national (Czech and Hungarian) ones providing the experience with concrete activities from the Czech and Hungarian prisons as well.
Findings
Sport in prison has to be seriously considered as an activity that has the potential to positively contribute to the physical and mental health of prison inmates. Sport in prison is a very potential rehabilitative tool. Doing sport in prison presents an opportunity for meaningful leisure and contributes to the development of good leisure habits. The possibility for prison inmates to do sports activities corresponds to a comprehensive approach to prison treatment and rehabilitation which works with leisure time as a pro-desistance factor.
Research limitations/implications
This is not extensive research, rather it is a theoretical mapping with national (Czech and Hungarian) experience.
Practical implications
Physical activity in prisons should be officially recognised (politically and systematically) as an activity with significant potential to improve both the physical and mental health of inmates, serving as an effective rehabilitative tool. From a systemic perspective, allowing physical activities in prisons reflects the trend towards normalising prison life, addressing issues related to prisonisation. Engaging in physical activity can bridge the gap between prison and post-release life, helping individuals maintain and cultivate pro-social habits developed during incarceration. For that reason, it should be considered as relevant part of prison throughcare and aftercare.
Social implications
Improvement of physical and mental health of prison inmates, as well as their socialisation. Increasing the rehabilitation potential of the prison system. Contribution to desistance from crime through leisure-time physical activity as a pro-desistance factor.
Originality/value
It is a theoretical analysis of the research topic focused on two Eastern European countries, Czechia and Hungary, including examples of national practices, which is interesting for international readers.
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Rosie Meek and Gwen Lewis
The existing evidence base and policy context of sports‐based prisoner health promotion is evaluated, and an original analysis of current provision and best practice in delivering…
Abstract
Purpose
The existing evidence base and policy context of sports‐based prisoner health promotion is evaluated, and an original analysis of current provision and best practice in delivering sport to address physical, mental and substance misuse needs among prisoners across the secure estate in England and Wales is presented, with a focus on the variability of provision across different prison establishments.
Design/methodology/approach
Inspectorate reports published by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons (n=184) were analysed to assess the extent to which health promotion objectives are being implemented through physical education in prisons across England and Wales. Examples of innovative sport‐based health promoting programmes are drawn upon in order to illustrate principles of best practice.
Findings
Despite health promotion being engrained in existing policy, the degree to which physical, mental health and substance misuse needs are addressed through sport in prison remains highly variable and locally contingent across the secure estate, although examples of innovative practice are evident.
Research limitations/implications
For sport to promote prisoner health most effectively, tailored sports provision should be embedded within multi‐modal interventions which draw on internal and external partnerships and promote opportunities for ongoing sporting participation. Further research is required to delineate principles of best practice applicable to discrete prisoner populations.
Originality/value
Sport can play a key role in addressing a multitude of prisoner health needs whilst contributing to achieving “healthy prison” objectives in practice. Sport and physical activity clearly offers a valuable way of motivating prisoners to engage in health promoting initiatives.
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Linsey Ann Belisle and Elia Del Carmen Solano-Patricio
As prison drug use continues to be a concern worldwide, harm reduction practices serve as an alternative approach to traditional abstinence-only or punishment-oriented methods to…
Abstract
Purpose
As prison drug use continues to be a concern worldwide, harm reduction practices serve as an alternative approach to traditional abstinence-only or punishment-oriented methods to address substance use behind bars. The purpose of this study is to present a summary of research surrounding prison-based harm reduction programs.
Design/methodology/approach
This narrative review of the international literature summarizes the harms associated with prison drug use followed by an overview of the literature surrounding three prison-based harm reduction practices: opioid agonist therapy, syringe exchange programs and naloxone distribution.
Findings
A collection of international research has found that these three harm reduction programs are safe and feasible to implement in carceral settings. Additionally, these services can effectively reduce some of the harms associated with prison drug use (e.g. risky injection practices, needle sharing, fatal overdoses, etc.). However, these practices are underused in correctional settings in comparison to their use in the community.
Originality/value
Various policy recommendations are made based on the available literature, including addressing ethical concerns surrounding prison populations’ rights to the same standard of health care and services available in the community. By taking a public health approach to prison drug use, harm reduction practices can provide a marginalized, high-risk population of incarcerated individuals with life-saving services rather than punitive, punishment-oriented measures.
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The purpose of this paper is to describe the nature of medical care within the German penal system. German prison services provide health care for all inmates, including…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the nature of medical care within the German penal system. German prison services provide health care for all inmates, including psychiatric care. The reached level of equivalence of care and ethical problems and resource limitations are discussed and the way of legislation in this field since 2006 reform on federal law is described.
Design/methodology/approach
The article summarizes basic data on German prison health care for mentally ill inmates. The legislation process and factors of influence are pointed out. A description of how psychiatric care is organized in German prisons follows. It focuses on the actual legal situation including European standards of prison health care and prevention of torture, psychiatric care in German prisons themselves, self harm and addiction. Associated problems such as blood born diseases and tuberculosis are included. The interactions between prison staff and health care personal and ethic aspects are discussed.
Findings
The legislation process is still going on and there is still a chance to improve psychiatric care. Mental health problems are the major challenge for prison health care. Factors such as special problems of migrants, shortage of professionals and pure statistic data are considered.
Originality/value
The paper provides a general overview on psychiatric services in prison and names weak points and strengths of the system.
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Kate Dolan and Ana Rodas
Prisoners have a high level of drug use prior to imprisonment. Many inmates report having injected drugs and using cannabis. Prison authorities employed a range of strategies to…
Abstract
Purpose
Prisoners have a high level of drug use prior to imprisonment. Many inmates report having injected drugs and using cannabis. Prison authorities employed a range of strategies to detect drugs and drug use in prison. However, it was unclear which supply reduction strategies operated, and the prevalence and types of drugs detected in Australian prisons. The purpose of this paper is to examine supply reduction strategies in Australian prisons. Information on searches for drugs, and from inmate urinalysis was collected. The study focussed on adults in fulltime custody in Australia in 2009.
Design/methodology/approach
A representative of all corrective services departments and justice health services was asked to complete a questionnaire on supply reduction strategies, including searches for drugs and drug testing of inmates.
Findings
The two main supply reduction strategies identified in all Australian prisons were the use of drug detection dogs and urinalysis programs. Despite an extensive use of drug searches and urinalysis, the detection of drugs was modest for both strategies. The most commonly used drug was cannabis with the detection of drugs such as amphetamines and heroin being very low.
Research limitations/implications
Prison inmates have a history of high levels of drug use prior to imprisonment. However, the supply reduction measures of drug detection dogs and urinalysis indicate that drug use was low in Australian prisons.
Practical implications
The paper recommends that urinalysis comprises targeting testing regimes and that random testing ceases in order to be a more cost effective use of resources for drug detection.
Originality/value
The study is the first report on the range of supply reduction measures in Australian prisons and, possibly in the world. Both measures were employed extensively across the country and finds of drugs and drug use were relatively low. Two possible conclusions can be drawn; that either drug use was very low in prison or that it was well concealed from the authorities. A comparison of random testing with targeted testing of inmates, where the former yields fewer positive results shows drug use was likely to be low rather than well concealed.
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Stijn Vandevelde, Freya Vander Laenen, Benjamin Mine, Eric Maes, Lana De Clercq, Lies Deckers and Wouter Vanderplasschen
This paper aims to report the findings of an evaluation study concerning the Central Registration Points (CRPs) for drug users in Belgian prisons. CRPs support drug users to link…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report the findings of an evaluation study concerning the Central Registration Points (CRPs) for drug users in Belgian prisons. CRPs support drug users to link with community-based services.
Design/methodology/approach
The study applied a multi-method approach that involved an exploratory literature review; a secondary analysis of the CRPs’ databases; a qualitative study of the perceptions of a diverse sample of stakeholders with regard to the functioning of CRPs; and a prospective registration study.
Findings
One-third of the clients never attended an outpatient or residential substance abuse service before prison entry. This illustrates that the CRPs managed to reach clients who were not previously reached by (substance abuse) treatment services. All interviewed actors emphasized the added value of the CRPs in terms of informing, contacting, motivating and referring prisoners with a substance abuse problem.
Practical implications
Based on the research findings, two issues seem to be of paramount importance in the successful practice of CRPs: the confidentiality and specific expertise on (substance abuse) treatment. Given the complex situation of drug users in prison, an independent positioning and categorical assistance with drug-specific expertise seem to be essential.
Originality/value
CRPs can be considered to be one of the “building blocks” that contribute to high-quality care and continuity of care for drugs users in detention.
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Pooja Goel, Kala Mahadevan and Krunal K. Punjani
The purpose of the present study is to synthesize the extant literature on augmented reality and virtual reality in the apparel industry using bibliometric and network…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the present study is to synthesize the extant literature on augmented reality and virtual reality in the apparel industry using bibliometric and network visualization techniques. This paper also highlights the existing gaps in the literature and sets out the future research trajectory.
Design/methodology/approach
This study investigated research articles in the domain of augmented and virtual reality in the apparel industry to assess global trends in research production in this area, and top contributors to research by way of authors, journals, countries and institutions. The study carried out an analysis of 239 research articles from the Scopus database during the period 1995 to 2021. The study used open-source bibliometric tools such as Biblioshiny and VOSviewer to analyze the research literature over the search period and also identify emerging research avenues.
Findings
The bibliometric analysis reveals that there is significant interest in this research domain. A total of 673 authors contributed to the 239 research articles analyzed and the number of multi-author documents exceeded those by single authors. Research in this domain is led by China with the maximum number of articles in the data set followed by the USA and France. However, the USA has received the highest number of citations. Donghua University from China is the largest contributor to research in this domain with 13 articles in the data set. The keyword co-occurrence analysis indicates that “virtual reality” has the most number of co-occurrences and linkages with other keywords. Other important keywords include “augmented reality,” “virtual try-on” and “cloth simulation.” The network visualization exercise also revealed significant collaboration between different countries in this research domain.
Practical implications
The gaps highlighted in this study will act as a reference point for researchers to conduct future studies in the field of augmented and virtual reality in apparel industry. Practitioners will also gain a comprehensive understanding of this research domain.
Originality/value
This study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the first attempt to integrate the disjoint literature of augmented and virtual reality in apparel industry through a mapping of the intellectual structure of this research domain. The study also contributes by way of providing a snapshot of future research avenues in the knowledge domain of augmented and virtual reality in the apparel industry.
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Ahmad Hajebrahimi, Khalil Alimohammadzadeh, Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini, Ali Maher and Mohammadkarim Bahadori
High quality health-care delivery is not only the governments’ responsibility but also every prisoner’s right. Health care in prison and, particularly, of Iranian prisoners is…
Abstract
Purpose
High quality health-care delivery is not only the governments’ responsibility but also every prisoner’s right. Health care in prison and, particularly, of Iranian prisoners is increasingly important topic because of the rising number of the prison population. This paper aims to explore health-care managers’ perspectives and experiences of prisons and the barriers to health-care delivery in Iranian prisons.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative research design was conducted in Iran from October 2018 to August 2019. The participants consisted of 51 health-care managers (50 men and one woman) from Iranian prisons. A combination of face-to-face (N = 42) and telephonic (N = 9) semi-structured interviews were used because of the geographical distribution of the respondents. The first part of the interview guide consisted of demographic characteristics, and the second part consisted of three main open ended-questions. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and thematic descriptive analysis was used to interpret the data.
Findings
The barriers to health-care delivery in Iranian prisons were categorized into four main topics: human resources, financing, facilities and barriers related to the health-care delivery process. Data synthesis identified the following themes for barriers to human resources: barriers to human resources planning (with eight sub-themes); barriers to education (with three sub-themes); and motivational barriers (with seven sub-themes). Moreover, barriers to financing consisted of five sub-themes. The barriers to facilities consisted of barriers related to physical infrastructures (with two sub-themes) and barriers related to equipment (with six sub-themes). Finally, barriers to the health-care delivery process included the following themes: communication barriers (with six sub-themes); legal barriers (with five sub-themes); and environmental-demographic factors (with seven sub-themes).
Originality/value
Identifying the barriers to health-care delivery in Iranian prisons plays a critical role in the improvement of planning, decision-making and the health-care delivery process.