NCJ Number
53099
Date Published
1978
Length
23 pages
Annotation
EFFORTS OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (AMA) AND MEDICAL SOCIETIES IN SIX STATES TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR INMATES OF JAILS AND SHORT-TERM CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE AMA RECEIVED A GRANT FROM LEAA IN 1975 TO INITIATE A PROGRAM TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE IN JAILS. THE PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL THROUGH THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THREE MAJOR OBJECTIVES: (1) THE DEVELOPMENT OF MODEL HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEMS AT A NUMBER OF PILOT JAIL SITES; (2) THE DERIVATION OF STANDARDS FOR HEALTH CARE IN JAILS TO SERVE AS THE BASIS FOR IMPLEMENTING A NATIONAL ACCREDITATION PROGRAM; AND (3) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CLEARINGHOUSE ON JAIL HEALTH TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO CORRECTIONAL AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AS WELL AS THE GENERAL PUBLIC. STATE MEDICAL SOCIETIES IN GEORGIA, INDIANA, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, WASHINGTON, AND WISCONSIN WERE CHOSEN FOR PILOT PROJECTS, WITH A TOTAL OF 30 JAILS INCLUDED IN THE STUDY. THE EVALUATION OF THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF THE AMA PROGRAM CONTAINED BOTH PROCESS EVALUATION AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT COMPONENTS. AT THE END OF THE PROJECT, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE THREE OBJECTIVES HAD BEEN MET. JAIL PREPROFILES AND POSTPROFILES AND INMATE/PATIENT PROFILES PROVIDED INFORMATION ON THE IMPACT OF THE AMA PROGRAM. IN TERMS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES, SIGNIFICANTLY MORE INMATES IN ACCREDITED JAILS OVER TIME REPORTED RECEIVING PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS ON ADMISSION, MEDICAL CARE FOR OTHER THAN AN ADMISSION PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE. THERE WAS NO SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE, HOWEVER, IN THE PROPORTION OF INMATES WHO REPORTED RECEIVING DENTAL SERVICES. EVEN THOUGH A NUMBER OF JAILS MET OR SURPASSED MINIMUM STANDARDS OF CARE DEVELOPED BY THE AMA, INMATE ASSESSMENTS DID NOT INDICATE GREATER SATISFACTION WITH AVAILABLE HEALTH CARE DESPITE OBJECTIVE IMPROVEMENTS. NOTES ARE INCLUDED.