Criminal Justice and Health
Connections between Criminal Justice and Health Project
HPIO is exploring the connections between criminal justice and health with guidance from a multi-sector advisory group. The research evidence is clear that poor mental health and addiction are risk factors for criminal justice involvement and that incarceration is detrimental to health. Obstacles to health and well-being are particularly striking for Ohioans who are at highest risk of criminal justice involvement. Still, improvement is possible. There are evidence-informed policy solutions to reduce incarceration and improve health in Ohio.
Publications
- Connections between criminal justice and health: Social Drivers of Violent Crime (June 2024)
- Connections between criminal justice and health: Impacts on children and families (December 2023)
- Connections between criminal justice and health: Pretrial incarceration and the bail system (September 2022)
- Connections between criminal justice and health: Insights on justice and race (November 2021)
- Connections between criminal justice and health (June 2021)
Webinars
- Impacts of parental justice involvement on children and families (February 2024)
- Connections between pretrial incarceration, community safety and health (September 2022)
- Connections between criminal justice and health (July 2021)
- Criminal justice and health: Keeping families together through criminal justice reform (December 2021)
Resources
- Facts & Figures (PowerPoint data graphics from the report for public use)
- HPIO health equity work
The relationship between criminal justice and health
There is a two-way relationship between criminal justice and health. Mental health and addiction challenges can lead to arrest and incarceration, and incarceration contributes to poor behavioral and physical health for many Ohioans. In addition, racism and community conditions are foundational factors that contribute to both criminal justice involvement and poor health. Engagement with the criminal justice system impacts the health, safety and well-being of justice-involved people, their families and the broader community.
For more information about this project, please email Dr. Tonni Oberly (toberly@hpio.net).
