Oral

Approximately 14 million people were arrested in the U.S. in 2004 and 5.6 million adult U.S. residents, or 1 in 37 adults living in the U.S., were serving time or had previously served time in a State or Federal prison. Additionally, the Immigration and Customs enforcement detains more than a quarter million immigrants each year. Therefore, the medical care in prison, jail and other detention facilities is of critical importance, potentially affecting millions of people. Although the State has the power to enforce the law and to detain or imprison individuals, it is frequently private enterprise that is entrusted with and is responsible for maintaining the minimum standards for adequate medical care as required by the United States Constitution. This paradox, the need to provide care competing with the opportunity to generate profit, may result in double jeopardy for those imprisoned. Who enforces the delivery of safe and satisfactory medical care to immigrants? How is health care best delivered to prisoners and what is the interrelationship of the health of free society and those imprisoned? What are the medical problems of prisoners and how does the special circumstance of incarceration affect treatment choices? In this session, each presenter highlights a specific problem in health care while keeping the important principles of rightful and legitimate medicine in focus.

Session Objectives: 1. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of isoniazid versus rifampin to treat latent tuberculosis in the prison population. 2. Analyze the epidemiology of asthma in prisoners and assess the relationship of incarceration to other risk factors for developing asthma. 3. Discuss the relationship between administrative policies, the resultant conditions of confinement, and the quality of medical care in three special populations; the medical care of pregnant females in prison; the medical care of detained immigrants; and prisoners demonstrating self injurious behavior.

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