Care Transitions for Incarcerated Pregnant People: A Needs Assessment

Incarcerated pregnant people face significant barriers when seeking health care services in prisons and jails, but little is known about their transitions from state prison health care systems to outside hospitals. This project analyzed current policies and procedures for care transitions for incarcerated people and presents policy recommendations to address issues of concern. We conducted in-depth interviews with stakeholders at a state prison, academic hospital, and private hospital to identify the barriers and facilitators to care transitions. Themes emerging from these interviews were operational, including medical records, communication, and education; and structural, including implicit biases and care of marginalized groups. These findings are likely applicable to similar facilities throughout the United States. A multipronged, interdisciplinary approach is needed to address challenges of care transitions.