Ankita Patil

All Publications

• Excess mortality in U.S. prisons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Science advances Sugie, N. F., Turney, K., Reiter, K., Tublitz, R., Kaiser, D., Goodsell, R., Secrist, E., Patil, A., Jiménez, M. 2023; 9 (48): eadj8104

  Abstract

  U.S. prisons were especially susceptible to COVID-19 infection and death; however, data limitations have precluded a national accounting of prison mortality (including but not limited to COVID-19 mortality) during the pandemic. Our analysis of mortality data collected from public records requests (supplemented with publicly available data) from 48 Departments of Corrections provides the most comprehensive understanding to date of in-custody mortality during 2020. We find that total mortality increased by 77% in 2020 relative to 2019, corresponding to 3.4 times the mortality increase in the general population, and that mortality in prisons increased across all age groups (49 and under, 50 to 64, and 65 and older). COVID-19 was the primary driver for increases in mortality due to natural causes; some states also experienced substantial increases due to unnatural causes. These findings provide critical information about the pandemic's toll on some of the country's most vulnerable individuals while underscoring the need for data transparency and standardized reporting in carceral settings.

  View details for DOI 10.1126/sciadv.adj8104

  View details for PubMedID 38039371

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10691764

• Conditions of Confinement in U.S. Carceral Facilities During COVID-19: Individuals Speak-Incarcerated During the COVID-19 Epidemic. Health equity Cassarino, N., Dabbara, H., Monteiro, C. B., Bembury, A., Credle, L., Grandhi, U., Patil, A., White, S., Jiménez, M. C. 2023; 7 (1): 261-270

  Abstract

  We aimed to describe conditions of confinement among people incarcerated in the United States during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic using a community-science data collection approach.We developed a web-based survey with community partners to collect information on confinement conditions (COVID-19 safety, basic needs, support). Formerly incarcerated adults released after March 1, 2020, or nonincarcerated adults in communication with an incarcerated person (proxy) were recruited through social media from July 25, 2020 to March 27, 2021. Descriptive statistics were estimated in aggregate and separately by proxy or formerly incarcerated status. Responses between proxy and formerly incarcerated respondents were compared using Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests based on α=0.05.Of 378 responses, 94% were by proxy, and 76% reflected state prison conditions. Participants reported inability to physically distance (≥6 ft at all times; 92%), inadequate access to soap (89%), water (46%), toilet paper (49%), and showers (68%) for incarcerated people. Among those receiving prepandemic mental health care, 75% reported reduced care for incarcerated people. Responses were consistent between formerly incarcerated and proxy respondents, although responses by formerly incarcerated people were limited.Our findings suggest that a web-based community-science data collection approach through nonincarcerated community members is feasible; however, recruitment of recently released individuals may require additional resources. Our data obtained primarily through individuals in communication with an incarcerated person suggest COVID-19 safety and basic needs were not sufficiently addressed within some carceral settings in 2020-2021. The perspectives of incarcerated individuals should be leveraged in assessing crisis-response strategies.

  View details for DOI 10.1089/heq.2022.0017

  View details for PubMedID 37139167

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10150723

• Shackling and pregnancy care policies in US prisons and jails. Maternal and child health journal Kramer, C., Thomas, K., Patil, A., Hayes, C. M., Sufrin, C. B. 2023; 27 (1): 186-196

  Abstract

  The number of incarcerated women in the United States has risen exponentially. Many are of childbearing age with 3-4% being pregnant at intake. Despite the need for comprehensive pregnancy-related health care in prisons and jails, there is no oversight that requires adherence to the established standards. The objective of this study was to assess prison and jail pregnancy policies and practices with an emphasis on restraint use and compliance with anti-shackling legislation.We conducted a survey of 22 state prisons and six jails, including the five largest jails, from 2016-2017 regarding pregnancy policies and practices including restraint use, prenatal care, delivery and birth, and other pregnancy accommodations. We compared reported restraint policies to state legislation at the time of the survey.Data indicate that pregnancy policies and services in prisons and jails vary and compliance inconsistencies with anti-shackling legislation exist. A third of the prisons and half of the jails did not have accredited health care services. All study facilities provided prenatal vitamins and most provided supplemental snacks. Most facilities stationed an officer inside the hospital room during labor and delivery, but nearly one-third of facilities did not require a female-identifying officer.Limited oversight and standardization of carceral health care and accommodations for pregnant people lead to variability in prisons and jails. Prisons and jails should adopt and implement standards of care guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of pregnant people who have unique healthcare needs. Incarcerated pregnant people should be viewed as expectant parents in need of comprehensive health care, rather than as criminals who forfeited their right to a safe, respectful, and humane childbirth.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s10995-022-03526-y

  View details for PubMedID 36372806

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9660187

• Examining COVID-19 mortality rates by race and ethnicity among incarcerated people in 11 U.S. state prisons (March-October 2021). SSM - population health Li, M. Y., Grebbin, S., Patil, A., Cowger, T. L., Kunichoff, D., Feldman, J., Jiménez, M. C. 2022; 20: 101299

  Abstract

  Populations who are incarcerated have experienced disproportionately high coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) mortality rates compared to the general population. However, mortality rates by race/ethnicity from federal, state, and local carceral settings are largely unavailable due to unregulated reporting; therefore, racial/ethnic inequities have yet to be examined. We aimed to estimate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality rates among individuals incarcerated in U.S. state prisons by race and ethnicity (RE).Public records requests to state Departments of Corrections were used to identify deaths from COVID-19 among incarcerated adults occurring from March 1-October 1, 2020. We requested race, ethnicity, and age specific data on deaths and custody populations; sufficient data to calculate age-adjusted rates were obtained for 11 state systems. Race and ethnic specific unadjusted deaths rates per 100,000 persons were calculated overall and by state, based on March 1, 2020 custody populations. Rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) compared aggregated age-adjusted death rates by race and ethnicity, with White individuals as the reference group.Of all COVID-related deaths in U.S. prisons through October 2020, 23.35% (272 of 1165) were captured in our analyses. The average age at COVID-19 death was 63 years (SD = 10 years) and was significantly lower among Black (60 years, SD = 11 years) compared to White adults (66 years, SD = 10 years; p < 0.001). In age-standardized analysis, COVID-19 death rates were significantly higher among Black (RR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.25-2.99), Hispanic (RR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.10-2.96) and those of Other racial and ethnic groups (RR = 2.60, 95% CI: 1.01-6.67) when compared to White individuals.Age-standardized death rates were higher among incarcerated Black, Hispanic and those of Other racial and ethnic groups compared to their White counterparts. Greater data transparency from all carceral systems is needed to better understand populations at disproportionate risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101299

  View details for PubMedID 36467513

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9699716

• Assessment of Practices Affecting Racial and Ethnic COVID-19 Vaccination Equity in 10 Large US Cities. Journal of public health management and practice : JPHMP Honeycutt, C. C., Contento, J., Kim, J., Patil, A., Balu, S., Sendak, M. 2022; 28 (6): E778-E788

  Abstract

  In the United States, COVID-19 vaccines have been unequally distributed between different racial and ethnic groups. Public reporting of race and ethnicity data for COVID-19 vaccination has the potential to help guide public health responses aimed at promoting vaccination equity. However, there is evidence that such data are not readily available.This study sought to assess gaps and discrepancies in COVID-19 vaccination reporting in 10 large US cities in July 2021.For the 10 cities selected, we collected COVID-19 vaccination and population data using publicly available resources, such as state health department Web sites and the US Census Bureau American Community Survey. We examined vaccination plans and news sources to identify initial proposals and evidence of implementation of COVID-19 vaccination best practices.We performed quantitative assessment of associations of the number of vaccination best practices implemented with COVID-19 racial and ethnic vaccination equity. We additionally assessed gaps and discrepancies in COVID-19 vaccination reporting between states.Our analysis did not show that COVID-19 vaccination inequity was associated with the number of vaccination best practices implemented. However, gaps and variation in reporting of racial and ethnic demographic vaccination data inhibited our ability to effectively assess whether vaccination programs were reaching minority populations.Lack of consistent public reporting and transparency of COVID-19 vaccination data has likely hindered public health responses by impeding the ability to track the effectiveness of strategies that target vaccine equity.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/PHH.0000000000001610

  View details for PubMedID 36194821

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9560901

• How the Pandemic Further Isolated the Incarcerated. American journal of public health Patil, A., Naila Segule, M. 2022; 112 (4): 590-591

  View details for DOI 10.2105/AJPH.2021.306660

  View details for PubMedID 35319930

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8961828