This course reviews the health implication of mass incarceration on individuals and their communities. Although the course will focus on the impact of incarceration, involvement with the criminal justice system more broadly will be discussed. The course will discuss the current state of knowledge, identify key gaps and explore examples of successful interventions to improve health outcomes among criminal justice involved individuals. Various health related implications of criminal justice involvement will be discussed, such as infectious disease, mental health, cardiovascular disease and cancer. A framework grounded in history and critical race theory will be employed in addition to careful consideration of the intersection of race. sex/gender, socioeconomic position and sexual and gender minority status. Methodological concerns and ethical implications of research conducted among individuals while in custody will also be considered. Classes will combine lectures, guest speakers representing key stakeholders and individuals with criminal justice involvement, and student led engagement. This course is appropriate for masters and doctoral level students.
SBS 502