340.692.01
Prisons, Public Health, and Human Rights

Location
East Baltimore
Term
4th Term
Department
Epidemiology
Credit(s)
2
Academic Year
2021 - 2022
Instruction Method
In-person
Class Time(s)
Monday, 5:30 - 7:20pm
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
Yes
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Gabriel Eber
Contact Name
Gabriel Eber
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite
Description
Explores the public health implications of mass incarceration and discusses the human rights and ethical ramifications of providing health care to men, women, and children in jails, prisons, and detention centers both in the United States and internationally. Takes a systems approach to addressing the basic health needs of the prison population, including infection control, care for acute and chronic medical conditions, and mental health care. Students apply problem-solving skills and explore the challenges of providing care in incarcerated settings. Emphasizes the roles of human rights principles and professional ethics in public health.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Examine the intersection of incarceration, public health practice and policy, and human rights principles
  2. Apply public health principles to specific health care processes, including intake screening, COVID19 response, and acute care.
  3. Describe the key elements of carceral health care systems and how they operate, succeed, and fail, incorporating factual investigation techniques.
  4. Consider and elucidate the ethical conflicts and clinical challenges faced by correctional health care professionals, including dual loyalty and the tensions between patient autonomy and the coercion inherent in incarceration
  5. Demonstrate learned principles to practical, in-class exercises that challenge students to navigate real-life problems in carceral health
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 5% Assignments
  • 15% Participation
  • 40% Written Assignment(s)
  • 40% Paper(s)
Instructor Consent
No consent required
Special Comments

Assignment Due prior to first class meeting- see Courseplus for details.