Ethical Issues in Carceral Healthcare

Catalog description

This graduate course explores ethical challenges at the intersection of criminal justice and healthcare, focusing on how medical conditions are treated inside jails and prisons. We will cover psychiatric care, addiction, women’s health, LGBTQ health, and pediatrics in carceral settings. Additionally, students will examine the rise of mass incarceration and the history of healthcare in correctional facilities. Key ethical issues such as consent, privacy, access to care, and the dual loyalty of healthcare providers will be critically analyzed. We will also discuss ethical considerations in carceral research. Students will be required to attend a class visit to Curran Fromhold Correctional Facility on July 9th. This experience will provide firsthand insight into the complexities of carceral healthcare, and will include discussions with healthcare providers and administrators working in these challenging environments.