How Far up the River? Assessing the Health Consequences of Criminal Justice Contact

April Fernandes, University of Washington

The rapid and steady increase of incarceration has had substantial consequences on health outcomes due to exposure and transmission of disease. Research has shown that physical and mental health outcomes for imprisoned populations are affected by residence in a carceral institution. The exposure to individuals with communicable diseases facilitates the transmission of disease while the stress of incarceration and lack of adequate medical facilities assist in exacerbating existing conditions. Given that the jail population grew in line with prison incarceration during this period, the health effects of less severe forms of criminal justice contact should be investigated. Using the NLSY97, I will explore both the transmission and exacerbation of previous medical illnesses as a result of short jail stays, arrests and convictions. In addition, I will also ascertain the effect on mental health as a result of criminal justice contact, controlling for treatment availability inside and outside of the institution.