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. 2022 Dec;9(6):2518-2532.
doi: 10.1007/s40615-021-01187-1. Epub 2021 Nov 29.

Cumulative Risk of Immigration Prison Conditions on Health Outcomes Among Detained Immigrants in California

Altaf Saadi  1 , Caitlin Patler  2 , Maria-Elena De Trinidad Young  3
Affiliations

Cumulative Risk of Immigration Prison Conditions on Health Outcomes Among Detained Immigrants in California

Altaf Saadi et al. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

Objectives: The USA maintains the world's largest immigration detention system. This study examines the mechanisms by which detention serves as a catalyst for worsening health.

Methods: Using data from detained immigrants in California (n = 493) from 2013 to 2014, we assessed the prevalence of exposure to conditions of confinement hypothesized to negatively influence health; the extent to which conditions of confinement are associated with psychological stress, diagnosed mental health conditions, and/or declines in general health; and the cumulative impact of confinement conditions on these outcomes.

Results: We found that each condition increased the likelihood of one or more negative health conditions, but there was also a cumulative effect: for each additional confinement condition, the odds of worsening general health rose by 39% and reporting good health decreased by 24%.

Conclusions: Confinement conditions are associated with poor physical and mental health outcomes among immigrants detained in immigration prisons. Policies that seek to improve specific conditions in detention centers may remove some risks of harm, but alternatives to detention are likely to be most effective.

Keywords: Immigrant health; Immigration detention; Immigration policy; Incarceration.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Predicted Health Outcomes by Index of Confinement Conditions
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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