Search Results (73)

Globally, cis and trans women face increasing rates of HIV, yet the uptake of existing HIV prevention medications often fails to meet their specific needs. This review examines HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among cis and trans women, including adolescent girls and young women; newcomers and migrants; sex workers; women who use drugs; and women who have been incarcerated, acknowledging intersectionality exists between these groups. A review of peer-reviewed published literature was conducted, and findings specifically on oral PrEP were synthesized. This review highlights several key themes shaping women’s engagement with PrEP, including barriers to initiation and discontinuation; public health messaging and promotion; the role of women’s networks; intimate partner violence; interpersonal trust in relationships; and “seasons of risk,” where temporary reductions in perceived risk may lead to discontinuation. Additional themes include preferred access points for PrEP, regional differences, and clinical implications for practice. Peer support and peer navigators emerge as important mechanisms for creating safe spaces that enhance trust and sustained PrEP use. Improving PrEP uptake and persistence among women requires a multifaceted, women-centred approach that addresses clinical, social, and structural barriers. Context-specific implementation remains critical to addressing diverse lived realities and strengthening HIV prevention outcomes globally. Full article

Background/Objective: Mind–body programs teaching mindfulness-based techniques have benefits for incarcerated people, as do programs in which individuals teach yoga to their incarcerated peers. However, there are no studies of comprehensive programs that combine a variety of self-care techniques with group support and enable people in prison to enhance their own well-being and then share what they have learned with their peers. This study evaluated the effects of such a training program in the United States. Methods: Thirty-eight incarcerated men and women began the 8-day mind–body medicine training and 31 completed the training. Mind–body techniques taught included soft belly breathing, meditation, autogenics and biofeedback, guided imagery, mindful eating, self-expression through drawings and writing, and genograms. Outcomes included resilience, depression, anxiety, stress, coping self-efficacy, optimism, meaning in life, and purpose in life. Outcomes were measured before and after the training, and at a 6-month follow-up. Results: There were significant improvements in resilience, depression, anxiety, stress, coping self-efficacy, optimism, the presence of meaning in life, and purpose in life after the training. All of these improvements were maintained at follow-up. The most frequently practiced skills both after the training and at follow-up were soft belly breathing, meditation, and mindful eating. Conclusions: The training provided participants with skills that had a lasting positive benefit on numerous aspects of their own well-being and trained them to teach the skills to their incarcerated peers. The results of this uncontrolled study suggest that the mind–body medicine training program may be helpful to incarcerated people in other prison systems. Full article

Endemic racism, operationalized through exclusionary discipline practices contributes to the “spirit murdering” of youth of color in schools. While the school-to-prison pipeline frames the funneling of students into the (in)justice system, the school-to-prison nexus expands this understanding by interrogating the reality that schools are prison for many. Thus, education abolitionists call for a systemic account of “schooling” to embrace creative risk and radical possibility in the pursuit of liberation. However, existing literature has not substantively centered the voices of youth directly involved in these carceral systems, nor invited them to dream. This study asks: based on formerly incarcerated students’ experiences in school and prison, what must educational systems do to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline? Guided by qualitative methods, we conducted semi-structured interviews with formerly incarcerated college students (four women, two men; majority Latinx/Hispanic) and conducted member checking. Our reflexive thematic analysis uncovered a troubling truth: schools frequently ignored and misinterpreted trauma, grief, and internalized pain among high school students. Participants described internal battles (i.e., mental health challenges) that often showed up externally as “behaviors” (e.g., fighting, skipping school, substance use) that resulted in exclusionary discipline. Equally important, participants re-imagined schools as homeplaces—sites of care, belonging, and agency. These narratives illuminate the need to dismantle punitive systems, center insights from those at the center of the experiences, and build just, loving, and equitable schools. Full article

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) represents a major global public health concern with profound psychological and social consequences for women. This review synthesizes contemporary evidence (2020–2025) on IPV prevalence, mental health outcomes, and healthcare implications among female populations worldwide. Methods: 18 peer-reviewed studies, encompassing approximately 62,000 women across various countries, were analyzed for study design, sample characteristics, IPV prevalence, and associated outcomes. Results: IPV prevalence varied widely across studies, ranging from 15% in population-based antenatal samples to over 85% among incarcerated or trauma-exposed groups. Across studies reporting mental health outcomes, depression prevalence ranged from 20% to over 50%, while PTSD prevalence ranged from approximately 30% to 70%, depending on measurement tools and population characteristics. No pooled estimates were calculated. IPV survivors showed higher emergency department use (2.6-fold), inpatient admissions (2.2-fold), and healthcare costs (2.2-fold) compared with non-exposed women. Emerging interventions, such as digital safety programs, behavioral antenatal packages, and validated screening tools, demonstrated encouraging effectiveness. Conclusions: IPV remains widespread and linked to psychological distress and elevated healthcare burden. Integration of routine screening, trauma-informed mental health services, and multisectoral prevention frameworks is essential to mitigate its enduring impact on women’s health and well-being. Full article

Perinatal mental health (PMH) conditions are the most common complications of pregnancy and the first postpartum year. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are increasingly recognized as important contributors to PMH, particularly postpartum depression and anxiety (PPD/A). This study examines a broad range of ACEs—including parental mental illness and substance use, incarceration, death, divorce, discrimination, economic hardship, and forced migration—to assess their influence on PPD/A. Using a modified explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, phase I included an online survey of racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse U.S. women (n = 306) who delivered a live infant in the past year. Hierarchical regression showed that while ACEs initially predicted PPD/A, this association was no longer significant when social support, material hardship, and discrimination were added to the model. These current life circumstances emerged as stronger direct predictors of PPD/A than ACEs. In phase II, purposive and stratified sampling identified participants with ACE scores ≥ 4 for interviews (n = 22). Qualitative findings identified social support, financial security, work flexibility and choice, and time for self-care as central protective factors in adjustment to motherhood when these resources aligned with mothers’ individual needs and values. Results can inform clinical counseling, ACEs screening, and policies to strengthen PMH support. Full article

Background/Objectives: Incarcerated people experience high rates of trauma, psychological distress, and social marginalization. Yoga has been introduced in prisons as a trauma-sensitive mind–body practice, yet its rehabilitative contribution remains uncertain. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on the feasibility and effectiveness of yoga interventions delivered in correctional settings. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines and a preregistered PROSPERO protocol, we searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Scopus for peer-reviewed publications from May 2012 to November 2025. Eligible studies involved structured yoga interventions for incarcerated populations and reported psychological, behavioral, or institutional outcomes. Two reviewers independently performed screening, data extraction, and quality appraisal using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Results: Ten studies reported in twelve publications and involving 1815 incarcerated individuals met the inclusion criteria. Interventions included Hatha-based protocols, Krimyoga, trauma-informed approaches, and multicomponent programs. Across randomized, quasi-experimental, and pre–post designs, yoga was feasible and acceptable. Reported benefits included reduced psychological distress, negative affect, anger, and trauma-related symptoms, as well as improved mood, self-regulation, and mindfulness. Evidence specific to women and girls was limited, but the available trauma-informed and gender-responsive studies suggested potential reductions in post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety, alongside increases in self-compassion. One large quasi-experimental cohort found lower reincarceration rates among yoga participants, although institutional outcomes were otherwise limited. Evidence was constrained by small samples, heterogeneous intervention formats, short follow-up, and variable outcome measures. Conclusions: Yoga appears to be a promising adjunct to rehabilitation in correctional settings. However, methodological limitations prevent firm conclusions. Larger, well-controlled studies with standardized outcomes and longer follow-up are needed to clarify effectiveness and support integration into correctional health and rehabilitation policy. Full article

Background/Objectives: Trauma-related distress poses significant mental health challenges, with psychotherapy serving as a primary intervention. The Walters Method is a promising new alternative that may help where traditional methods fall short (i.e., in complex or violent cases), but before it can be implemented widely, the existing evidence on the effectiveness of other psychotherapies for trauma-related distress must be mapped to see how and where it relates to other techniques. The aim of this scoping review was to provide an overview of existing evidence on the effectiveness of psychotherapy for trauma-related distress. Methods: A scoping review was conducted to better understand the effectiveness of psychotherapies for trauma-related distress (including PTSD, acute stress disorder, or other serious mental health issues). Results: Thirty-three articles were analysed. Included articles included adults with PTSD, incarcerated women, childbirth trauma survivors, female survivors of sexual abuse, hospitalised COVID-19 patients, adults with serious mental illness, veterans and active soldiers, firefighters, and refugees. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy were the most studied and effective treatments. Prolonged Exposure and Narrative Exposure Therapy were less common but noteworthy. Other therapies, including psychodynamic approaches, are seldom studied but have proven effective when explored, highlighting knowledge gaps and potential missed opportunities. Success with these alternative approaches—especially in complex trauma cases like intimate partner violence or child loss where EMDR and CBT may be less effective—suggests they have potential, but further research is needed for validation. Conclusions: This review offers novel contributions to the field by emphasising innovative therapeutic perspectives that extend beyond traditional, more studied, evidence-based approaches such as CBT and EMDR, thereby expanding treatment options for diverse clinical presentations. Alternative therapies show promise, particularly for complex trauma cases like intimate partner violence or child loss where established approaches may be less effective; however, further research is needed to validate their efficacy across diverse populations. Selection of psychotherapy should be based on clients’ goals and comfort, and the cultural and contextual compatibility between the person and intervention. Future research should prioritise underexplored therapies to address current knowledge gaps and improve treatment accessibility for varied clinical needs. Full article

Pre-trial detention is intended to be a measure of last resort, yet it is excessively applied across jurisdictions worldwide. This paper examines its use, with particular emphasis on its application to women and its incompatibility with international human rights law, standards, and norms. We demonstrate that the inappropriate and widespread use of custodial remand violates fundamental human rights, while exposing the gendered and intersectional barriers that impede women’s access to bail. We further underscore the far-reaching social, economic, and emotional consequences of women’s incarceration. Drawing on a limited but expanding body of research, we argue that pre-trial detention operates as a form of gendered punishment that reflects and reinforces structural inequalities, producing enduring harms for women, their families, and communities. The paper concludes by calling for investment in gender-sensitive, non-custodial, and community-based alternatives that advance women’s decarceration. These measures must be underpinned by reforms that give practical effect to human rights law, standards, and norms, while also addressing the structural conditions that lead to women’s involvement in the criminal-legal system, and ending the unnecessary imprisonment of those who are legally innocent. Full article

This study aimed to map the literature on the clinical role of pharmacists in the care of incarcerated people at correctional facilities and to identify gaps in this field. A scoping review was conducted on 30 July 2024, using the PubMed, Scopus, and LILACS databases. Gray literature was searched via Google Scholar, and references of included studies were manually reviewed. Primary studies of any design reporting pharmacists’ clinical services and/or activities for incarcerated individuals were eligible. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers, with a third resolving disagreements. The search yielded 894 records, from which 27 studies were included. Most studies were conducted in the United States (n = 16; 59%) and France (n = 7; 26%). Eleven (41%) focused exclusively on male populations, and one (4%) on female inmates. Most studies addressed pharmacists’ clinical roles in mental health conditions and substance use disorders (n = 9; 33%), infectious diseases (n = 5; 19%), and diabetes (n = 4; 15%). Clinical services and/or activities related to direct patient care were the most frequently reported (n = 18; 67%). Process measures were reported in 18 studies (67%), and clinical outcomes were the most common type of outcome (n = 13; 48%). This review highlights the pharmacist’s clinical role in treating mental health conditions and substance abuse, infectious diseases, and diabetes in incarcerated care. It underscores the need for further research in low- and middle-income countries, on women’s health, and on other prevalent conditions. Full article

Background: Incarcerated individuals often experience poor oral health due to limited access to care and socioeconomic disadvantages. Objective: This study assessed the dental health status of incarcerated individuals in Silesia over a five-year period using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and compared their outcomes to a matched control group from the general population. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational case-control study at the University Centre for Dentistry in Bytom, reviewing records of 136 incarcerated patients (mean age 36.8 ± 7.9 years; 9.4% women) and a matched control group between 2019 and 2024. Results: Incarcerated individuals had a higher mean DMFT score (14.4 ± 5.7) compared to controls (11.5 ± 6.5; mean difference = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.53 to 4.37; Cohen’s d = 0.49), with more decayed (4.9 ± 3.2 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4) and missing teeth (4.3 ± 3.2 vs. 3.5 ± 2.6). Most incarcerated patients (65.5%) required oral surgical treatment, most commonly for retained roots (25.9%) and impacted teeth (24.5%). No significant DMFT differences were observed based on age or sex, although disparities were most pronounced in older female prisoners (mean DMFT 17.8 vs. 9.8 in controls aged 40+). Conclusions: Incarcerated individuals in Silesia demonstrated a significantly higher burden of untreated dental disease and greater tooth loss compared to non-incarcerated controls over the five-year period. The predominance of advanced dental conditions requiring surgical intervention highlights missed opportunities for early and preventive care in this vulnerable population. Full article

Sexual minority women (SMW) are a resilient yet vulnerable population who may experience poor psychosocial outcomes due to minority stress associated with their marginalized status and traumatic experiences resulting from interpersonal and structural violence. When SMW are incarcerated, the trauma of this experience can exacerbate existing mental health challenges. Self-concept is a key measure of mental health that is associated with increased self-efficacy and positive psychosocial outcomes. This analysis explores the ways in which incarceration impacts the self-concept of SMW. Secondary data analysis of three qualitative interviews with formerly incarcerated SMW was conducted. Specifically, Gilligan’s Listening Guide was used to create “I poems” that articulate the participants’ narratives and contrapuntal voices. These poems were then analyzed to build knowledge about participants’ self-concept. This analysis informs our understandings of self-concept among SMW, violence against women, the vulnerability of binary constructs, and the ways in which people negotiate past, present and future selves. The findings can inform interventions that seek to mitigate the psychosocial risks faced by SMW and formerly incarcerated people and improve outcomes for these populations. Full article

Despite the increase in the study of women and crimes committed by them, investigations continue to be scarce. Self-control and psychopathy have been widely studied in incarcerated populations, though more frequently in males than females. This study examines these psychological variables related to substance use history and violent crime in a sample of 94 incarcerated women in Portugal. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Self-Control Scale, and Levenson’s Self-Report Psychopathy Scale—VP. We found average self-control levels, with lower scores among participants with substance use. Significant differences in self-control emerged between women who committed homicide and those who did not. Psychopathy scores were above average, with significant differences in Factor 2 (impulsivity) between those who committed homicide and those who did not. Self-control and psychopathy were negatively associated, and psychopathy predicted self-control. These findings, which are not entirely consistent with the literature, challenge common assumptions about self-control, psychopathy, and crime, particularly in incarcerated women, and suggest that different mechanisms may drive violent and non-violent crimes in women. These results reinforce the need to consider gender-specific pathways to crime, highlighting the urgency of continuing to investigate the manifestation, in women, of widely studied variables in male samples. Full article

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and is exacerbated by poor dietary habits, particularly in settings such as women’s prisons. Incarcerated women are often exposed to ultra-processed foods, limited nutritional education, and restricted living conditions that increase their risk of CVD. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the challenges perceived by professionals in a Portuguese women’s prison regarding the prevention of CVD, particularly through dietary interventions. Methods: A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study was conducted using a focus group with six professionals. Data were collected in July 2024 and analysed using thematic content analysis. Results: Three thematic categories emerged: (1) contextual challenges of the prison system (e.g., sedentary lifestyle, limited food options); (2) socio-cultural resistance to behavioural change (e.g., low adherence to health programmes, use of food as a coping mechanism); and (3) the need for sustainable and interdisciplinary intervention strategies. Conclusions: The findings highlight the complexity of promoting cardiovascular health in female prisoners. Interventions need to take into account mental health support, prisoner autonomy and institutional constraints. Future research should develop and test targeted, context-specific nutrition programmes in similar settings. Full article

The vast majority of people in U.S. women’s prisons are survivors of interpersonal violence, a pattern that organizers and advocates have referred to as the abuse-to-prison pipeline. This article critically examines criminal prosecution from the perspectives of survivors of interpersonal violence who faced long prison sentences in California. In-depth interviews and group discussions were generated through a participatory process at a gathering to launch the University of California Sentencing Project, a partnership with the community-based organization California Coalition for Women Prisoners. The twenty-two formerly incarcerated participants had collectively spent more than 300 years imprisoned. Drawing on their lived experiences spanning several decades and multiple jurisdictions, this article offers an unyielding account of tactics of isolation, intimidation, narrative manipulation, and confinement as definitional to prosecutorial practice and culture. This criminalized survivor-centered analysis of prosecution shows how one of the most robustly funded public interventions for interpersonal violence is not merely failing to protect victims but is protracting patterns of abuse and coercive control. Implications are discussed in terms of social care work and collective defense rooted in abolition feminism. Full article