Mixed reviews: perceptions of prison health care delivery in Western Canadian prisons

Schultz, William

Mixed reviews: perceptions of prison health care delivery in Western Canadian prisons

Author

Schultz, William

Date

2024

Keywords

incarceration, prison health care, perceptions

Abstract (summary)

Prison health care is often described as substandard and reduces the quality of life for those experiencing incarceration. However, examining incarcerated peoples’ perceptions of prison health care reveals specific nuances on the topic. I draw on 587 interviews with incarcerated people and 131 correctional officer interviews, collected as part of the University of Alberta Prisons Project, to detail how incarcerated people perceive prison health care. First, a substantial minority of participants describe prison health care as a positive part of their experience, specifically detailing its impact on substance use and chronic health problems. Second, participants describe gaps in prison health care, with a specific focus on medication provision and communication. Finally, participants describe prison health care as a form of capricious governance, which increases the pain of incarceration. Together, these three themes shed light on how prison health care shapes the experiences of incarcerated people. Post-print version.

Publication Information

Schultz, W. J. (2024). Mixed reviews: Perceptions of prison health care delivery in Western Canadian prisons. In N. W. Link, M. A. Novisky & C. Fahmy (Eds.), Handbook on contemporary issues in health, crime and punishment (pp. 148 – 164). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003506867-11