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An Analysis of Mortality in State Correctional Facilities, 1985-1998

An Analysis of Mortality in State Correctional Facilities, 1985-1998. Crime & Population Dynamics Workshop June 4, 2007 Evelyn J. Patterson University of Pennsylvania. The Study of Mortality in Prisons is a Natural Experiment. Knowledge Ascertained Level of mortality in prison

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An Analysis of Mortality in State Correctional Facilities, 1985-1998

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  1. An Analysis of Mortality in State Correctional Facilities, 1985-1998 Crime & Population Dynamics Workshop June 4, 2007 Evelyn J. Patterson University of Pennsylvania

  2. The Study of Mortality in Prisons is a Natural Experiment • Knowledge Ascertained • Level of mortality in prison • Further the literature on differentials by sex and race in mortality • Methodology – Life Table Methods • This research extends previous work • Examines trend in mortality change • Contextualizes findings in the mortality literature based on recent BJS study and general mortality literature • Considers the importance of the interaction of race, age, and sex

  3. Summary of Mortality Findings Sex Differentials • Prison was more of a detriment to females. • The relative difference in years of life lost for men in prison and for men not in prison decreased during study period. • The relative difference between mortality of males and females was smaller in prison than outside of prison.

  4. Summary of Mortality FindingsRacial Differentials • Prison was more detrimental to white males than black males. • Black males had a higher level mortality outside of prison than inside. • There was little difference in the first and last periods between the mortality for white and black males in prison.

  5. Possible Explanations • Higher mortality in prison • Exposure to health risks while in prison • Poor condition of prisons • High prevalence of disease • Selection: Less healthy persons get sent to prison  higher mortality rates • Lower mortality in prison • Selection: Healthier, more defiant people fight the system, get sent away, and would have lived longer had they not been sent to prison • Environmental risks decrease • No guns in prison • No automobiles • Conditions better than those experienced outside of prison, in particular basic health care and nutrition

  6. Conclusions & Future Directions • Given the age pattern of mortality in addition with the literature, the key factor explaining difference in years lost ratio between prisoners and non-prisoners is safety. • The age pattern of mortality between white and black males leads to the idea that the racial difference in years lost ratio between prisoners and non-prisoners is healthcare. • Future Study - Parole Mortality

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