Incidence and Predictors of COVID-19 Infection in Prison Healthcare Workers.

Objective: The aim of the study is to assess the predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection among correctional healthcare workers (HCWs).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review to describe the demographic and workplace characteristics of New Jersey correctional HCWs between March 15, 2020, and August 31, 2020, using univariate and multivariable analysis.

Results: Among 822 HCWs, patient-facing staff had the highest incidence of infection (7.

Criminal Recidivism in Inmates with Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders.

The relative contributions of mental illness and substance use disorders to criminal recidivism have important clinical and policy implications. This study reviewed 36 months of postrelease data for nearly 10,000 New Jersey state inmates released in 2013 to ascertain the rearrest rate of those diagnosed with mental illness, substance use disorders, both, or neither. We also examined whether certain characteristics suggestive of higher risk of psychiatric decompensation were associated with higher rates of rearrest.

Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence and Reduction in Inmates Prescribed Antipsychotic Medications.

The principal aim of this study was to establish whether a metabolic monitoring program implemented for second-generation antipsychotic medications (SGAs) was associated with any reduction in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adult inmates treated with antipsychotic medications in the New Jersey Department of Corrections. The average prevalence of metabolic syndrome in those prescribed SGAs decreased from 17.9% during the years before metabolic monitoring to 14.

Decreased Mortality Rates of Inmates With Mental Illness After a Tobacco-Free Prison Policy.

Objective: Negative health consequences of smoking have prompted many correctional facilities to become tobacco free, including the New Jersey Department of Corrections, and this study examined the results of implementing tobacco-free policies.

Methods: Mortality rates in the total population of inmates and in a subgroup with identified special mental health needs or mental illnesses (referred to in this article as persons with special needs) were measured from January 2005 through June 2014, a period during which tobacco use was significantly reduced and then eliminated.

Results: The total mortality rate of all causes of death combined was three times higher for persons with special needs in 2005 compared with those without special needs.

Benefits of a department of corrections partnership with a health sciences university: New Jersey's experience.

More than half of the state prisons in the United States outsource health care. While most states contract with private companies, a small number of states have reached out to their health science universities to meet their needs for health care of prisoners. New Jersey is the most recent state to form such an agreement.