Healthcare in the Prison System

Welcome to prison! Here are some quick facts about your new temporary or forever home. The United States accounts for only 5% of the world's population, but 25% of all incarcerated individuals (Averick, Barish, & DuVernay, 2016). 72% of inmates are incarcerated for nonviolent crimes and have no history of violence.  This number has been increasing since the introduction of the "war on drugs". There's a 95% chance you need medical care as you enter prison, and there's a 66% chance that it's your first contact with professional medical attention (Delgado & Humm-Delgado, 2009). Are you a person of color?