Canadian women’s health &
physical activity needs in prison
Victoria Felkar
Supervisor: Dr. Patricia Vertinsky
UBC School of Kinesiology
MURC Conference March 24, 2012
candidate for BKin, Interdisciplinary stream
pursuing MA in Kinesiology Sept. 2012 (UBC)
employed in fitness industry (CSEP-CPT)
(Correctional Service of Canada, 2010)
Kent Institution Agassiz, British Columbia
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Federal total Provincial & Territorial total
% of Total
Inmate Population
1991-1992 2001-2002 2008-2009
Growing number of female offenders
in Canada
Challenges in addressing inmate health
needs
Deficiencies in linking knowledge to
practical application for improving inmate
health & access
Highlight the health & health care needs of the
female inmate
Discuss the role of physical activity
“Physical activity in Canadian corrections”
complexity of correctional system
multiple variables and terms
overwhelming lack of information
“Canadian Corrections, Women’s Health,
Physical Activity ”
inmate health & health care needs
physical activity, benefits and access
1/10 of the inmate population
young, single, Aboriginal
Decreased health status life expectancy chronic illness
suicide risk mental disorder
substance addiction history of abuse
Lack of knowledge about health
& access to health services in Canada
Without knowledge
health care cannot be addressed
cannot determine programming & access
Physical activity is strategized as
Health promoting
Potential to rehabilitate offenders
Cost effective
Facilitate re-entry into the community
Lack of knowledge
Segregation exercise yard.
Kent Institution (Jackson, 2002)
Findings to date reveal
Improved physiological & psychological health
chronic illness aggression levels
optimism & self growth quality of life
social skills idleness
Little access
Gender biased programming
Growing female inmate population
with diverse healthcare needs
Inadequate knowledge about
health
access to healthcare services
role of physical activity
(The Corrections Reporter, 2010)
Increase knowledge & body of research specific health needs of inmates
access & attitudes towards health promotion
Role of physical activity?
Corrections Canada. (2010). Kent Institution. [Web Photo]. Retrieved March 21, 2012, from http://www.csc scc.gc.ca/text/facilit/inst itutprofiles/kent-eng.shtml
Corrections Reporter. (2010). Canadian women in prison. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from
http://www.correctionsreporter.com/2010/05/10/canada-50-more-women-in-prison/ Calverley, D. (2010). Adult Correctional Services in Canada, 2008/2009. In Statistics
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inequity in prison health. In World Health Organization: Health in Prisons Project. Retreived October 17, 2011 from http://www.euro.who.int/en/what-we-do/health-topics/health-determinants/prisons-and-health/publications/womens-health-in-prison.-correcting-gender-inequity-in-prison-health
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