Medical and social problems of women in places of imprisonment: A literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37800/RM.4.2024.411Keywords:
health, women prisoners, prison, mortality, medical careAbstract
Relevance: Each year, the number of women in detention facilities continues to rise globally. Despite having the same rights as men, the penal enforcement system is predominantly designed with men in mind. As a result, these institutions often fail to provide adequate conditions to safeguard women's rights and promote their health.
The study aimed to summarize the available literature on the medical and social problems of women in places of detention.
Materials and Methods: An analytical review of open-access literature sources from scientific databases PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and e-library over the past 10 years (2014-2024) was conducted.
Results: This literature review has identified women’s leading medical and social problems and needs in places of detention. The unfavorable conditions in prison facilities significantly impact the health of women prisoners. Chronic illnesses, infectious diseases, and mental health disorders linked to substance abuse are notably prevalent among incarcerated women. Moreover, they face a heightened risk of physical and sexual violence compared to women in the general population. Most of the imprisoned women are parents and are of reproductive age, which increases the need for quality reproductive health care from healthcare.
Conclusion: This review determined the medical and social status of women in places of detention, revealed the conditions of prisoners’ detention, and revealed the lack of high-quality medical care. Our findings highlight the need for preventive programs aimed at improving the health of incarcerated women and enhancing the training of medical professionals. These measures are essential for addressing the specific health needs of women in prison settings effectively.
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