An article written by a Psychiatric Research Institute (PRI) researcher is featured in each edition of “Mind Matters.” This article was written by Mollee Steely Smith, an assistant professor in PRI’s Health and the Legal System (HEALS) Lab.
“An integrative literature review of substance use treatment service need and provision to pregnant and postpartum populations in carceral settings” Women’s Health, March 15, 2023
There has been very little research on the services available to incarcerated women who are pregnant and postpartum. Findings from a previous study that examined the health profiles and health care services provided to 219 pregnant and postpartum women in an Arkansas prison inspired this review. Nearly a quarter of incarcerated pregnant women in Arkansas had a history of substance use, with few reporting treatment prior to and/or during their time in prison.
As a result of these striking findings, Smith and colleagues conducted an integrative review of the literature to determine what is known about substance use disorder treatment for pregnant and postpartum persons in jails and prisons. They found that treatment for substance use disorders among incarcerated pregnant and postpartum populations are not routinely available and enhanced services are sorely needed. However, substance use treatment programs are feasible with the help of community partners.
“This is one of the first studies to take an encompassing look at the kinds of substance use treatment services available to incarcerated pregnant and postpartum women,” added Smith. “This is only a review of what knowledge is out there but hopefully it will help make recommendations moving forward regarding needed programming and treatment in correctional settings.”