The pandemic illustrated how dysfunctional and inequitable the United States health care system is.  Health care spending, both per person and as a share of the national budget, continues to be far higher in the United States than in other high-income countries, and yet its health statistics are worse than any other developed country.

This webinar examines women’s health from a specific perspective of justice  –  the  health care challenges of incarcerated women.  The webinar shows that the US health care system does not adequately address the health needs of women, and woefully neglects the health care of incarcerated women.

By assessing health justice through the lens of women’s health, we see that not only is the system inadequate, but, that because of excessive pentagon spending we lack the resources to adequately alter the system.

Sarah Nawab founded the Women’s Incarceration Conditions and Reentry Project (Women’s Project), to focus exclusively on the needs of incarcerated women, provide trauma-informed advocacy, and create rights education materials.  She interviewed currently and formerly incarcerated women regarding their experiences with trauma, mental illness, and discrimination, culminating in a  report about their experiences and policy recommendations to address their unique needs.   She is the director of the Women’s Project at Prisoners’ Legal Services, where she  provides legal services to incarcerated women and pursues systemic advocacy to improve the conditions they face while confined. Sarah will discuss the conditions of health services for incarcerated women.

Michael Horrell directs the  medical & mental health care advocacy teams  of Prisoners’ Legal Services to work with clients to help with medical attention and evaluation for clinical diagnoses, to determine appropriate courses of treatment, and to ensure that necessary medication is provided, specifically ensuring that the Department Of Corrections provides medication as prescribed.  He continues to work through all means available to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all clients. Michael will discuss the increasing privatization of prison health services and its influence of health care for incarcerated women.

Angelia Jefferson is a motivational speaker/ story teller and an activist against the injustice of the carceral system. She has been on several panel discussions regarding the criminal justice system and how the prison system and mass incarceration has impacted women and families of color and the lack of medical care for incarcerated women.After serving 31 years in prison Angelia obtained her Bachelors degree in Liberal Arts. As a directly affected person Angelia continues to use her voice to raise awareness for all women and girls affected by the criminal justice system. Gaining knowledge through various restorative justice outlets, she continues to be a beacon of hope of what a new beginning can look like. Angelia will discuss the lived experience of being an incarcerated woman in need of health care.

Register to attend.