Oral

This session examines the relationship between incarceration and health of both prisoners and those recently released from jail or prison. Two presentations present research on risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality of recently released prisoners. Other presentations document programs which are designed to link prisoners with health care professionals and community organizations that can assist in advocacy and release planning, including advocacy for seriously ill prisoners in need of compassionate release options. A further study focuses on the effects of high temperatures on the health of both prisoners and staff, an issue of on-going importance that is only beginning to be systematically studied. Throughout the session, presentations emphasize strategies for improving health and survival outcomes for those caught in the criminal justice system and in immigrant detention.

Session Objectives: 1. Attendees will be able to identify three risk factors associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality for people recently released from prison and can describe the relationship between length of sentence and risk of drug-related death and homicide among people recently released from a big city jail. 2. Attendees will be able to describe two programs that train health care professionals to act as advocates for patients in jail or detention. 3. Attendees will be able to describe the role of thermoregulation in prison health.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)