Research from Leeds Metropolitan University Yields New Study Findings on Public Health (Health-promoting prisons in the female estate: an analysis of prison inspection data)

摘要

2021 SEP 07 (NewsRx) - By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Disease Prevention Daily- Researchers detail new data in public health. According to news reporting originating from Leeds Metropolitan University by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, "Women in prison have comparatively greater health needs than men, often compounded by structures and policies within the prison system. The notion of a 'health-promoting' prison is a concept which has been put forward to address health inequalities and health deterioration in prisons." Our news correspondents obtained a quote from the research from Leeds Metropolitan University: "It has, however, not been fully discussed in relation to women in prison. The paper aims to distil the learning and evidence in relation to health promotion in female prisons using prison inspection reports of women's prisons in England and Wales. Prison inspection reports are one way of ascertaining the contemporary situation in prisons. Prison inspections are often unannounced and use a myriad of methods to draw conclusions around various aspects of prison life. Thirteen prison inspection reports were analysed thematically focusing on health promotion within the institutions. Two analysts conducted the work using NVivo 12. Five core thematic areas were identified during the analysis of the reports. Saliently, a joined-up approach to health promotion was not a common feature in the prisons and indeed the focus tended to be on screening and 'lifestyle issues' rather than a concern for the underlying determinants of health. There was often an absence of a strategic approach to health promotion. There were some good examples of the democratic inclusion of women in prison in shaping services, but this was not widespread and often tokenistic. There were some examples of inequity and the inspection reports from a small number of institutions, illustrated that the health needs of some women remained unmet."