The Impact of Imprisonment on the Health Rights of Female Inmates. A Comparative Case Study of Soroti Prison Uganda

ABSTRACT

KEY WORDS; Prisoner Health Rights, Health Care Service Provision, Nutrition,

Activity, Hygiene and Sanitation.

BACKGROUND: Female inmates tend to suffer poor health on a range of indicators. This Study sought to explore Female and Male Inmates' perceptions of the Impact of Imprisonment on their Health Rights and Well-being.

METHOD: This Qualitative Study involved both adult Female (20) and male inmates (I 0) who were either Remands or Convicts at Soroti Prison in Eastern Uganda. Participant Observation, Individual, and Focus Group Interviews were conducted.

RESULTS: Both female and male inmates reported that imprisonment mainly the manner of health care service provision, poor nutrition, sharing of basins, urinary, and shaving equipments in prison impacted negatively upon their health. Inadequate and improper medical care, poor nutrition, hard manual labour, separation from families (in particular biological children), cruelty of prison staff, enforced living with other inmates living with HIV/AIDS that puts them at risk of contracting TB, and lack of physical exercise affected their own health. Both the female and male inmates complained of under dosage and being forced to dig and do other manual work while sick. Female inmates reported that the use of worn out pieces of their prison uniform during menstrual cycle made them vulnerable to Candida, lack of privacy and the loss of their role as mother are additional 'pains' suffered by them. Male inmates on the other hand. described responses to imprisonment that were also health negating as sleeping bed-bed on the floor, using one blanket to lay as well as for covering, sleeping without mosquito

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One: ........................................................................................................... I

The Need to Study the Impact of Imprisonment on the Health Rights of Female Inmates 

1.0. Introduction ........................................................................................................ I

1.1. Background to the Study ........................................................................ I

1.2. Statement of the Problem ....................................................................... 14

1.3. 0. Objectives of the Study ...................................................................... 16

1.3.1. Overall Objective .................................................................. 16

1.3.2. Specific Objectives ................................................................ 16

1.4. Research Questions ............................................................................................ I 7

1.5. Research Measures ............................................................................................. 17

1.6. Implication of the Study for the Practice ............................................................ 17

1.7. Limitations of the Study ..................................................................................... 19

Chapter T o: ........................................................................................................... 20

Literature Review .................................................................................................... 20

2.0. Introduction ........................................................................................................ 20

4.3.2 Common Diseases Encountered by Female Inmates while in Prison ....................................................................... 59

4.3.3 Terminal Diseases Reported by Male Inmates ...................... 61

4.3.4 Common Diseases Encountered by Male Inmates while in Prison ...................................................................... 63

4.4. Impact of Health Care Service Provision on the Health Rights and well-being of Inmates 

4.4.1. Availability of Medical Care within the Prison ............................................... 66

4.4.2. Case Study ....................................................................................................... 68

4.4.3. Availability of Drugs ....................................................................................... 70

4.4.4. Availability of Medical care Staff ................................................................... 71

4.4.5. Care for the Sick Inmates in General .............................................................. 73

4.4.6. Routine General Medical Check ups ............................................................... 77

4.4.7. Follow-Up OR Review of Sick Inmates by Medical Care Staff ..................... 78

4.4.8 Care of pregnant inmates .................................................................................. 79

4.4.9. Relationship with the Medical Staff and Prison Security Staff.. ..................... 81

4.5. Impact ofNutrition on the Health Rights and Well-being of Inmates ............... 84

Permission Letter to Interview Female Inmates ........................................................ Ill

Appendix. IV ............................................................................................................. I 12

Permission Letter to Interview Male Inmates ........................................................... 112

Bibliography .............................................................................................................. 113