NCJ Number
199340
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: May 2002 Pages: 3-5
Date Published
May 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses distributions of physical, dental, and nutritional indicators for offender admissions and the institutional population in Canada.
Abstract
The Correctional Service of Canada’s Offender Intake Assessment (OIA) contains two core components: Static Factors Assessment and Dynamic Factors Identification and Analysis. During assessment, the offender’s complete background is considered, such as criminal record and personal characteristics. Each of the three health indicators considered (physical, dental, and nutritional) are contained in the Service’s automated Offender Management System (OMS) and available from the principal component “health” in the domain of the Dynamic Factors Identification and Analysis section of the process. The compilation of these indicators permits the Service to generate prevalence rates, track trends, and alert staff to cases where additional health care assessments are warranted. Data were reviewed of the Service’s OMS on December 31, 2001. Of completed admission assessments available for analysis, 27 percent were identified as having physical health problems at admission. About 15 percent of Federal admissions reportedly had dental problems and 7 percent had poor nutrition. The proportion of newly admitted offenders with a ‘poor physical’ health indicator increased by over 4 percent since 1997. The proportions of new admissions with ‘poor dental’ and ‘poor nutrition’ decreased 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively. Providing health services to offenders with physical, dental, and nutritional issues presents challenges for correctional administrators and practitioners. The results of selected health indicators from automated assessment systems can raise awareness about offender health status at admission, and provide empirical support for delivering services to meet health needs of correctional populations. The specifics about the nature and magnitude of these health problems can not be generated as yet, but future health surveys may rectify this situation. 2 figures, 4 notes