Medicine and the Epidemic of Incarceration in the United States

2011126 citationsJournal Article

Authors

Josiah D. Rich · Center for Health, Human Rights and Development

Sarah E. Wakeman · Massachusetts General Hospital

Samuel Dickman · Center for Health, Human Rights and Development

Abstract

Mental illness and substance use and dependence, among other medical conditions, are highly prevalent in the vast incarcerated population of the United States. But correctional facilities are fundamentally designed to confine and punish, not to treat disease.

Topics & Keywords

Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending Healthcare Decision-Making and Restraints

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Good health and well-being

Publication Details

Published in: New England Journal of Medicine

Volume 364, Issue 22, pp. 2081-2083

DOI: 10.1056/nejmp1102385

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 37.65