A Public Health Manual for Correctional Health Care

1 A Public Health Manual for Correctional Health care i A Public Health Manual for Correctional Health care Developed by: Thomas Conklin, MD, CCHP-A Hampden County Sheriff s Department Thomas Lincoln, MD Brightwood Community Health Center Rachel Wilson, MPH Gail Gramarossa, MPH, CHES Massachusetts Public Health Association Edited by: Kieran Curran Massachusetts Public Health Association October 2002 Copyright 2002: Hampden County Sheriff s Department.

2 Printed and published by the Hampden County Sheriff s Department in Ludlow, MA through a contract with the Massachusetts Public Health Association funded by a grant from the Innovations in American Government program. This program is funded by the Ford Foundation and administered by the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government. All rights reserved. No part of this Manual may be reproduced without written permission from the authors. A Public Health Manual for Correctional Health care ii "We need to ensure compassionate and quality Health care to those incarcerated in our jails and prisons, based upon the fundamental Public Health principles of healthy communities, universal access, and human rights.

3 Documents such as this go a long way towards helping us reach this goal." Mohammad N. Akhter, MD, MPH Executive Director, American Public Health Association My case manager has helped me in the way I see myself and feel about myself. I am more confident about my future and the things I need to do to continue living the same provider [in the community and in jail] has given me a sense of control over my situation and my the first time in my life I feel important and cared for. Richard Former inmate at Hampden County Correctional Center "Hampden County's model shows the value of integrating Public Health techniques into Correctional Health care practices.

4 It realizes that better patient outcomes can be achieved when various agencies coordinate total patient care ." Edward A. Harrison, CCHP President, National Commission on Correctional Health care The Hampden County Public Health Model for Corrections truly demonstrates that Correctional settings do not exist in isolation. The model has shown that incarcerated populations are part of the community and the Health and well being of corrections directly impacts the Health of the larger community as inmates return home. John R. Miles, MPA Former CDC Special Assistant for Corrections and Substance Abuse A Public Health Manual for Correctional Health care iii The medical care I receive at the jail reduces a lot of the case manager here in jail has been a great help with legal issues, Health issues, and family issues.

5 Miriam (Not real name) Inmate at Hampden County Correctional Center The Hampden County Correctional Center has demonstrated that high quality, cost-effective Health care can be delivered in the Correctional setting by linking with community-based Health care providers and Public Health departments. This linkage improves community well-being and Public safety, has an impact on the Health of both the inmate and the community, and fosters a rehabilitative approach to Health care that extends beyond the prison walls. In creating the Manual for the Public Health Model of Correctional care , the Massachusetts Public Health Association and the Hampden County Correctional Center provide a practical guide to other Correctional systems and communities.

6 I encourage other Correctional systems and Health care providers to apply the lessons in this Manual and reach out to the communities from which their inmates come and establish the valuable Public Health connection. Howard K. Koh, , Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Public Health "This jail has cast the mold for bridging Correctional and community Health care . The Manual describing this elegant program is an asset to the literature." Robert B. Greifinger, MD Consultant in Quality Management and Correctional Health care My Health in the jail is up to date, better than ever before. The attention and education provided here in the jail will hopefully help me to stay on top of my Health on the care I receive here is more consistent than the care I was receiving on the outside, due to having constant access to a medical provider, nurse and case manager.

7 It is good to know that the medical provider you have an established relationship with continues to see you while in jail or out in the community. Carlos (Not real name) Inmate at Hampden County Correctional Center A Public Health Manual for Correctional Health care iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We owe a special debt of thanks Those who provided comments and guidance in the process of creating this document: Edward Harrison, CCHP, President, National Commission on Correctional Health care John R.

8 Miles, MPA, Editor, Journal of Correctional Health care Alfred DeMaria, MD, Assistant Commissioner, Mass. Dept. of Public Health John Rich, MD, Medical Director, Boston Public Health Commission Robert B. Greifinger, MD, Correctional Health Consultant Jeffrey Scavron, MD, Medical Director, Brightwood Health Center Maryrose Coughlin, RN, Director of Nursing, Hampden County Correctional Center Paul Sheehan, Grant Manager, Hampden County Correctional Center Richard McCarthy, Director of Public Relations, Hampden County Correctional Center Those at the Hampden County Correctional Center and their community collaborators who contributed information about their many programs and services.

9 Jay Ashe Joanne Blakley Frank Cavanaugh William Christofori Kate DeCou Joanne Dorman Jack Fitzgerald Esther Fletcher-Cruz Sandy Gallagher Tom Haley Lori Hillman Linda Lata Mary Ann Leonczyk Carmen Mercado Dr. Herb Meyers Robin Powell Priscilla Provencher Dr. Kelly Scanlon Paul Sheehan Bill Toller Basil Tsgaris Dr. Robert Tuthill Mary Ann Waszkelewicz Paula Wells Gail Gramarossa for gently and tirelessly pointing the way Rachel Wilson, our advisor and guide, who provided so much inspiration, energy, and so many good ideas. Finally, to Innovations in American Government who provided the award and support that made this Manual possible.

10 A Public Health Manual for Correctional Health care INNOVATIONS IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AWARD The Innovations in American Government program is funded by the Ford Foundation and administered by the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government. The Ford Foundation has made award grants totaling $ million since the Innovations Program began in 1986. In 2000, the Hampden County, Massachusetts Sheriff s Department Health Services program was one of 10 nationwide winners of the award. The Innovations in American Government Awards are intended to draw attention to exemplary achievements in government problem solving and to amplify the voices of Public innovators in communicating their practices.