Mass incarceration, immigration enforcement, and public health in the U.S.

SBS 502 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

This course reviews the health implication of mass incarceration on individuals and their communities. Although the course will focus on the impact of incarceration, involvement with the criminal justice system more broadly will be discussed. We will also analyze the criminal justice system in the context of immigration and the public health impacts of forced migration and displacement. The course will discuss the current state of knowledge, identify key gaps and explore examples of successful interventions to improve health outcomes among criminal justice involved individuals and displaced persons. Specific health issues will include infectious disease, mental health, cardiovascular disease and cancer. A framework grounded in history and critical race theory will be employed in addition to careful consideration of the intersection of race, sex/gender, socioeconomic position and sexual and gender minority status. Methodological concerns and ethical implications of research conducted among individuals while in custody will also be considered. Classes will combine lectures, student-led engagement, and guest speakers representing key stakeholders and individuals with criminal justice involvement and experience with forced migration and displacement. This course is appropriate for masters and doctoral level students.