NCJ Number
149740
Journal
Federal Prisons Journal Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: (Winter 1994) Pages: 55-59
Date Published
1994
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The Prison Integrated Health Program (PIHP) serves both inmates and staff at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) for women in Dublin, California.
Abstract
Since its inception as a two-session stress management workshop for long-term inmates, the volunteer-operated holistic health program has expanded dramatically and now serves as a model approach to health promotion and disease prevention in correctional facilities. The program is based on the belief that health is a function of mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The female inmates at FCI Dublin must cope with stressors including the effects of previous physical or sexual abuse, substance abuse, family separation, overcrowding, language difficulties for some ethnic groups, and many chronic health problems. Inmates participating in PIHP complain of these stressors, as well as the threat of violence, racial tension, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and alienation. Prison staff suffer from other stressors: overcrowding, tight budgets, strained marital relations and family conflicts, understaffing, and impaired health. PIHP offers inmates up to 30 hours a week of classes in meditation, parenting skills, conflict resolution, stress management, somatic education, and art classes as well as special workshops and cultural events. Program participants have stopped smoking, demonstrated more effective communication and leadership skills, reconciled with family members outside, and reported improvements in health and self- esteem. 4 notes