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Structuring and Re-Creating Inequality: Health Testing Policies, Race, and the Criminal Justice System

Author

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  • Bryan L. Sykes

    (University of Washington)

  • Alex R. Piquero

    (University of Maryland)

Abstract

Research shows that prison inmates have a higher risk of contracting HIV than the general population, which prompts measures aimed at diagnosis, quarantine, and treatment. Research has also linked released inmates to an increase in the HIV incidence rate of communities. The authors explore the disjuncture between institutional policies and potential community outcomes by evaluating health assessments of inmates before and during prison admission. The authors argue that the penal institution is an active agent in structuring and re-creating health inequalities within prisons, thereby exacerbating existing community health inequities when inmates are released. Using data from the 2002 Survey of Inmates in Local Jails and the 2004 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Prisons, the authors find significant racial, educational, and marital inequalities in health testing and test results. These inequalities vary across types of institutional testing policies and inmate cohorts, with later admission cohorts being less likely to receive HIV tests and future release cohorts having a higher likelihood of being HIV-positive.

Suggested Citation

  • Bryan L. Sykes & Alex R. Piquero, 2009. "Structuring and Re-Creating Inequality: Health Testing Policies, Race, and the Criminal Justice System," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 623(1), pages 214-227, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:623:y:2009:i:1:p:214-227
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716208330486
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jill Nicholson‐Crotty & Sean Nicholson‐Crotty, 2004. "Social Construction and Policy Implementation: Inmate Health as a Public Health Issue," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 85(2), pages 240-256, June.
    2. Hammett, T.M. & Harmon, M.P. & Rhodes, W., 2002. "The burden of infectious disease among inmates of and releasees from US correctional facilities, 1997," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(11), pages 1789-1794.
    3. Braithwaite, R.L. & Arriola, K.R.J., 2003. "Male Prisoners and HIV Prevention: A Call for Action Ignored," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 93(5), pages 759-763.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Keywords

    race; health; HIV; incarceration;
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