Kierrah Daniels, Senior in Scholars Academy Magnet for Business and Law, is conducting her Capstone Research project on the complexity of prison reform. One of then hardest things officials are having to explain to legislature right now is that prison reform stretches beyond penitentiary walls. Dr. Ingrid A. Binswanger, a scientist dedicated to creating primary care for vulnerable populations, conducted a study at Washington State Department of corrections in 2003 to determine the behaviors and mortality rates of prisoners upon their re-entry back into society. Dr. Binswanger compared the mortality rates of the former prisoners against those of their same age, sex, and race in their communities that haven’t been incarcerated. Results showed that over 50% of the prisoners in her study that re-entered society, died somewhere within the first month of their release; and in most cases as little as the first two weeks. Dr. Binswanger determined that “the rates at which the formerly incarcerated die is 12% more than those of their same age, sex, and race who have never been to jail before” (Binswanger 3). This insightful statistic proves that there is some sort of disconnect between the efforts taken within prisons and what occurs after release.
Most reform efforts focus on education, career preparation, and other initiatives that help prisoners make the most of their time while incarcerated; while that is crucial for a smooth transition back into the community, officials will never see the results they’re hoping for if they just stop there. Daniels concluded that the most common causes of death after reentry are the effects of limited healthcare which hinders them from receiving necessary medical attention, the locations of their released which places them back into a possible dangerous environment, and the dead ends that persuade them to take their own lives. If you want to follow Daniels' research please click the image to follow her Twitter page or email her at released2die@gmail.com.
For more insight on my research feel free to email me at released2die@gmail.com or follow my project’s twitter @Released2Die.
