Mental and Physical Health Problems as Conditions of Ex-Prisoner Re-Entry

Anna Pękala-Wojciechowska, Andrzej Kacprzak, Krzysztof Pękala, Marta Chomczyńska, Piotr Chomczyński, Michał Marczak, Remigiusz Kozłowski, Dariusz Timler, Anna Lipert, Agnieszka Ogonowska and Paweł Rasmus
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Anna Pękala-Wojciechowska: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-153 Lodz, Poland
Andrzej Kacprzak: Department of Applied Sociology and Social Work, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz, 90-136 Lodz, Poland
Krzysztof Pękala: Department of Medical Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 90-425 Lodz, Poland
Marta Chomczyńska: Department of Forensic Sciences, Stanisław Staszic State University of Applied Sciences in Piła, 64-920 Piła, Poland
Piotr Chomczyński: Department of Sociology of Art, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz, 90-136 Lodz, Poland
Michał Marczak: Department of Management and Logistics in Healthcare, Medical University of Lodz, 90-131 Lodz, Poland
Remigiusz Kozłowski: Center of Security Technologies in Logistics, Faculty of Management, University of Lodz, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
Dariusz Timler: Department of Emergency Medicine and Disaster Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 92-213 Lodz, Poland
Anna Lipert: Department of Sports Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 92-213 Lodz, Poland
Agnieszka Ogonowska: Department of Management and Logistics in Healthcare, Medical University of Lodz, 90-131 Lodz, Poland
Paweł Rasmus: Department of Medical Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 90-425 Lodz, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-17

Abstract: The article focuses on a less-discussed issue of social marginalization of people leaving penitentiaries, which is the prevalence of multifaceted health problems experienced by people in this category. It includes poor health status, resulting from, among others, poor housing conditions, harmful or risky lifestyle, and lack of access to medical services. Data from the District Inspectorate of the Prison Service in Lodz, Poland on the health conditions of inmates was accessed. These data were supplemented by qualitative research conducted in 21 juvenile detention centers and 8 prisons across the country, conducting direct observations and In-Depth Interviews (IDI). A total of 198 IDIs were conducted with incarcerated (72) and released (30) juvenile offenders, and incarcerated (68) and released (28) adult offenders. These were complemented by IDIs with experts (50) and Focus Group Interviews (FGIs; 8) with male and female inmates in 4 Polish prisons. The study revealed that mental and physical health is a serious obstacle to social reintegration of ex-prisoners. It is rarely addressed by state institutions. There are strong associations between neglect of health issues in the prison population and increasing social exclusion after leaving prison. As Poland has a restrictive penal policy, former prisoners remain a group with social stigma and little support.

Keywords: hostage; social desirability; social isolation/alienation; forensic sciences; health care/public health; social exclusion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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