People are inherently flawed. We make mistakes. The important thing is what we learn from those mistakes and how we move forward from them. Every person deserves the opportunity to move forward from mistakes, even serious ones. For some people in jails, access to healthcare can be vital to moving forward in a positive way.
Many patients enter jail with untreated mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or other health conditions. Some have gone years without consistent access to care, negatively impacting their judgment and ability to function.
Correctional healthcare helps with reducing recidivism. People are better prepared to return to their families and communities when they receive the medical attention they need.
Understanding Recidivism
Recidivism is what it’s called when a person returns to the justice system after release. Most research lumps together jail and prison recidivism rates. However, the rate for both is between 60-80%, according to the Bureau of Justice.
Staying justice involved is most likely when the common reasons people are jailed remain, and the factors that result in arrest go unaddressed. These factors include:
- Unmet Basic Needs. Things like lack of stable housing, reliable transportation, or steady income can make it difficult to meet legal obligations and can result in minor issues escalating into jail time.
- Mental Health Conditions. Untreated or unmanaged mental health conditions can affect decision-making, emotional regulation, and daily functioning.
- Substance Use Disorders. Substance use is a major factor in legal involvement. For some people, mental illness and addiction are tied together. Without access to consistent care and treatment, ineffective coping resulting in addiction can lead to repeated contact with the legal system.
- Lack of Social Support. People without strong family or community support may struggle in various ways, especially if the issues above are at play without any support or assistance.
It’s clear to see how healthcare, including mental health assistance, in jail can help address these factors. Research also found that stress related to reentry is the most common reason for recidivism, making stabilizing people and preparing them for reintegration into regular life critical to their well-being after jail.
Addressing Common Health Concerns in Jail
Many patients in jails live with complex health needs that affect their long-term outcomes. Correctional healthcare providers have an opportunity to really make a difference for these people by addressing common health concerns like:
- Mental Health Conditions. Early screening and assessment can help identify mental health disorders and create treatment plans for them. Helping people improve their mental health stability helps them think more clearly and make better decisions in the future.
- Substance Use Disorders. Identifying and treating addiction helps move patients into recovery and promotes long-term change.
- Chronic Physical Conditions. Conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma require consistent monitoring and medication. Establishing a treatment plan and educating the patient on why it’s essential helps them manage their health and be physically more stable after release.
Supporting Reentry Through Continuity of Care
The need for healthcare and the importance of understanding and addressing it don’t end at release. The days and weeks after leaving jail are a vulnerable time for many people. Gaps in medication, missed appointments, or lack of access to community providers can quickly lead to problems. Continuity of care is essential to maintaining the stability achieved during incarceration and to reducing recidivism.
To reduce recidivism, correctional healthcare teams should try to:
- Coordinate With Community Providers. Connect patients with local clinics, behavioral health providers, and substance use treatment programs to empower them to continue treatment.
- Assist With Prescription Continuity. Provide patients with bridge medications (if possible) and guide them on continued use and how to receive refills to create a plan for ongoing management of their conditions.
- Transfer Health Information. If approved, share relevant medical records with community providers for safe, informed, ongoing care.
- Provide Education. Educate the patient about their condition, the treatment plan, and how to continue accessing that treatment after their release. Ultimately, it’s up to the patient to follow through and be a willing advocate for themselves.
Benefits for Patients, Families, and Communities
The impact is immeasurable when correctional healthcare addresses patients’ needs. Not only does this care benefit patients, but stabilizing people’s health and improving their well-being also impacts the families and communities connected to them.
Correctional healthcare benefits for patients include:
- Improved mental and physical stability
- Greater ability to make informed, rational decisions
- Increased likelihood of maintaining recovery
- Better preparation for employment, housing, and the functions of daily living
- Stronger capacity for relationships and participation with support systems
People are better positioned to build a stable future when their healthcare needs are being met and they have a plan to continue that treatment.
Benefits for families include:
- Reunification with a healthier, more stable loved one
- Reduced stress related to untreated illness or substance use
- Greater financial and emotional stability
- Improved trust and communication
Families often carry the weight of an incarcerated loved one. They experience relief and renewed hope when patients receive the care they need and deserve. But the effects extend even beyond the individual and immediate family and into the community. That’s because correctional healthcare influences public health.
Correctional healthcare benefits for communities include:
- Increased public safety
- Lower long-term system costs
- Stronger workforce participation
- Healthier community relationships
TK Health Assists in Reducing Recidivism
Reducing recidivism requires addressing the factors that contribute to repeated justice involvement, or at least empowering people to work through those issues on their own. Patients become more stable and prepared for the challenges of daily life when their healthcare needs are met.
TK Health is committed to providing compassionate, individualized healthcare for patients in jails. Our team members understand that each patient has a unique history full of challenges that impact their path forward. That’s why we focus on early assessment, thoughtful treatment planning, and continuity of care that supports patients during incarceration and after release.
