Behind bars and beyond: Health equity for incarcerated Black men is an ongoing struggle

RICHARD GARLAND & The connections between violence, incarceration, and health outcomes for Black men are complex. Black men face barriers to their well-being that White men don’t. Access to quality education is unequal as are job opportunities, affordable housing, and good healthcare, especially in underserved communities. Black men are also disproportionately exposed to community and interpersonal violence, racial profiling, and police brutality. When they’re directly impacted by violence as victims or witnesses, they may experience physical injuries, like gunshot wounds, stabbings, or traumatic brain damage. They may develop mental health disorders like PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. They may also suffer from chronic health conditions like hypertension and constant pain. Even indirect violence can affect Black men’s health. Maybe a family member has been incarcerated or a friend or neighbor has been shot or beaten. These experiences can affect a person’s mental outlook, cause psychosocial stress, and put people at risk for interpersonal violence. Of all the barriers to Black men’s well-being, incarceration is one of the highest. Black men are incarcerated at higher rates than White men and serve longer sentences for the same crimes — the result of racial profiling, implicit bias, harsh sentencing laws, and systemic...