Influenza control can be achieved in a custodial setting: pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and 2011 in an Australian prison

Place of distancing measures in containing epidemics: a scoping review

Distancing is one of the barrier measures in mitigating epidemics. We aimed to investigate the typology, effectiveness, and side effects of distancing rules during epidemics. Electronic searches were conducted on MEDLINE, PubMed in April 2020, using Mesh-Terms representing various forms of distancing ('social isolation', 'social distancing', 'quarantine') combining with 'epidemics'. PRISMA-ScR statement was consulted to report this review. A total of 314 titles were identified and 93 were finally included. 2009 influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 epidemics were the most studied. Distancing measures were mostly classified as case-based and community-based interventions. The combination of distancing rules, like school closure, home working, isolation and quarantine, has proven to be effective in reducing R0 and flattening the epidemic curve, also when initiated early at a high rate and combined with other non-pharmaceutical interventions. Epidemiological and modeling studies showed that Isolation and quarantine in the 2009 Influenza pandemic were effective measures to decrease attack rate also with high level of compliance but there was an increased risk of household transmission. lockdown was also effective to reduce R0 from 2.6 to 0.6 and to increase doubling time from 2 to 4 days in the covid-19 pandemic. The evidence for school closure and workplace distancing was moderate as single intervention. Psychological disorder, unhealthy behaviors, disruption of economic activities, social discrimination, and stigmatization were the main side effects of distancing measures. Earlier implementation of combined distancing measures leads to greater effectiveness in containing outbreaks. Their indication must be relevant and based on evidence to avoid adverse effects on the community. These results would help decision-makers to develop response plans based on the required experience and strengthen the capacity of countries to fight against future epidemics. Mesh words: Physical Distancing, Quarantine, Epidemics, Public Health, Scoping Review.

Emerging challenges to prisoners vaccination of covid-19: Historical, legal and humanitarian view

This research aims to present a legal history of the prisoners’ treatment in global crises along with presenting an overview of prisoners’ treatment during Covid-19 in view of International Humanitarian Laws. Using the formative research method with a conceptual approach and statute approach, data was gathered from various legal documents related to prisoners’ health laws linked to legal purpose theories. This study further explains the need to treat old age prisoners on a priority basis and to what extent international health organizations are making efforts to establish criteria to vaccinate this societal segment. The international regulatory framework was deeply analyzed to draw conclusions and recommendations along with WHO efforts. It was revealed that there exist adequate laws regarding priority health treatment of the prisoners in crises times but existed an enormous need to highlight and address the sensitive humanitarian issue. Additionally, WHO and other international organizations have also revised the international laws during Covid-19 to treat the prisoners. However, there is an immense need to devise explicit regulations regarding the accessibility of the vaccine to all the groups of society, including prisoners. The provision of a detailed overview of international laws and treaties regarding prisoners’ priority health treatment is a major advance of this research. Further recommendations for the developed and developing nations and future research directions are suggested.

Incarceration as a Fundamental Social Cause of Health Inequalities: Jails, Prisons and Vulnerability to COVID-19

Although research has established the disproportionate health burdens among incarcerated persons, the literature has yet to identify a theoretical framework for outlining the harms of incarceration associated with pandemics. We advance the literature theoretically by arguing two points. First, we assert that incarceration is a potent structural driver of health inequalities that must be considered as a fundamental social cause of disease. To underscore this point, we review how incarceration meets each of the four fundamental social cause criteria originally proposed by Link and Phelan. Second, given that incarceration is a fundamental social cause of disease, both currently and formerly incarcerated populations are likely to face heightened vulnerabilities to pandemics, including COVID-19, further exacerbating health disparities among incarceration-exposed groups.

Analysing the views of people in custody about the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Scottish Prison Estate

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to foreground and analyse the views of people in custody about the management of the COVID-19 pandemic within the Scottish Prison Estate. The project is unique in using a correspondence participatory action methodology to engage with a group of people in custody at one Scottish prison.

Design/methodology/approach

At the time of ethical approval (early April 2020), all face-to-face research projects facilitated by the Scottish Prison Service were paused. In response to these methodological challenges, a participatory correspondence methodology was designed to allow people in custody to influence the direction of this project by suggesting research questions and themes. Eight participants were selected due to previous participation in research projects at one Scottish prison. All participants were adult males and serving long-term sentences. After consent was given via post, eight letters were distributed to participants with questions about their COVID-19 experiences. Methodologically, this project illustrates the potential for correspondence methods to facilitate insights into life in custody during what emerges as a particularly challenging time.

Findings

Participant suggested questions were used across six subsequent letters to elicit unique insights into the COVID-19 pandemic, of lockdown and subsequent easing of lockdown conditions in custody. The main project findings relate to challenges that the participants faced in relation to communication, feelings of heightened isolation and detachment from family, friends and the normal rhythms of life in prison. Analysis of letters provides unique insights into the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic in custody enhanced the pains of imprisonment, increasing the “tightness”, “depth” and “weight” of participants’ time in custody.

Originality/value

This paper is methodologically, epistemologically and theoretically original in foregrounding the views of people in custody about the management of COVID-19 in prison and using a correspondence participatory action research method. The conclusion considers the extent to which views from what might be considered the bottom of hierarchies of power within prison settings are able to influence the direction of prison policy around the management of COVID-19 and future pandemics.

Managing outbreaks of highly contagious diseases in prisons: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

There are reports of outbreaks of COVID-19 in prisons in many countries. Responses to date have been highly variable and it is not clear whether public health guidance has been informed by the best available evidence. We conducted a systematic review to synthesise the evidence on outbreaks of highly contagious diseases in prison.

METHODS

We searched seven electronic databases for peer-reviewed articles and official reports published between 1 January 2000 and 28 July 2020. We included quantitative primary research that reported an outbreak of a given contagious disease in a correctional facility and examined the effects of interventions. We excluded studies that did not provide detail on interventions. We synthesised common themes using the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) guideline, identified gaps in the literature and critically appraised the effectiveness of various containment approaches.

RESULTS

We identified 28 relevant studies. Investigations were all based in high-income countries and documented outbreaks of tuberculosis, influenza (types A and B), varicella, measles, mumps, adenovirus and COVID-19. Several themes were common to these reports, including the public health implications of infectious disease outbreaks in prison, and the role of interagency collaboration, health communication, screening for contagious diseases, restriction, isolation and quarantine, contact tracing, immunisation programmes, epidemiological surveillance and prison-specific guidelines in addressing any outbreaks.

DISCUSSION

Prisons are high-risk settings for the transmission of contagious diseases and there are considerable challenges in managing outbreaks in them. A public health approach to managing COVID-19 in prisons is required.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020178827.

Key Dimensions for the Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases in Institutional Settings: A Scoping Review to Guide the Development of a Tool to Strengthen Preparedness at Migrant Holding Centres in the EU/EEA

Migrant centres, as other institutions hosting closed or semi-open communities, may face specific challenges in preventing and controlling communicable disease transmission, particularly during times of large sudden influx. However, there is dearth of evidence on how to prioritise investments in aspects such as human resources, medicines and vaccines, sanitation and disinfection, and physical infrastructures to prevent/control communicable disease outbreaks. We analysed frequent drivers of communicable disease transmission/issues for outbreak management in institutions hosting closed or semi-open communities, including migrant centres, and reviewed existing assessment tools to guide the development of a European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) checklist tool to strengthen preparedness against communicable disease outbreaks in migrant centres. Among articles/reports focusing specifically on migrant centres, outbreaks through multiple types of disease transmission were described as possible/occurred. Human resources and physical infrastructure were the dimensions most frequently identified as crucial for preventing and mitigating outbreaks. This review also recognised a lack of common agreed standards to guide and assess preparedness activities in migrant centres, thereby underscoring the need for a capacity-oriented ECDC preparedness checklist tool.

Influenza outbreak in a Canadian correctional facility

Correctional facilities face increased risk of communicable disease transmission and outbreaks. We describe the progression of an influenza outbreak in a Canadian remand facility and suggest strategies for preventing, identifying and responding to outbreaks in this setting. In total, six inmates had laboratory-confirmed influenza resulting in 144 exposed contacts. Control measures included enhanced isolation precautions, restricting admissions to affected living units, targeted vaccination and antiviral prophylaxis. This report highlights the importance of setting specific outbreak guidelines in addressing population and environmental challenges, as well as implementation of effective infection prevention and control (IPAC) and public health measures when managing influenza and other communicable disease outbreaks.