REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH OF INCARCERATED WOMEN: AN ANALYSIS OF POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN PRISONS

Authors

• Nariel Diotto
• Georgea Bernhard

Abstract

This article focuses on the reproductive health of incarcerated women, exploring the conditions, policies, and practices related to the management of reproductive health in prisons. The research is delimited to examining health care structures, access to prenatal care, menstruation management, and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among incarcerated women. The general objective of the article is to analyze the effectiveness of policies and practices related to reproductive health in prisons, identifying gaps and suggesting improvements based on public health guidelines and human rights. The research question is: How do current policies and practices in prisons affect the reproductive health of incarcerated women, and what changes are necessary to ensure that these women have access to adequate and respectful reproductive health care? The research will be conducted through a comprehensive bibliographic review, using academic databases, reports from health and human rights organizations, and relevant legislation. The research findings demonstrate that current prison policies and practices have a significant impact on the reproductive health of incarcerated women, often resulting in limited access to adequate and respectful reproductive health care. The academic literature shows that, despite the growing global attention to women's health and rights, conditions within prison institutions frequently fail to meet the specific reproductive health needs of female inmates. This deficit manifests in various ways, including inadequate prenatal care, insufficient regular gynecological follow-up, a shortage of supplies for menstrual management, and limited education and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.