Contraception Policies in U.S. Jails, Prisons, and Juvenile Detention Systems: A National Survey
Aneesha Cheedalla, Carolyn Sufrin
Abstract
Contraception is an important health care service for incarcerated women, yet its availability in U.S. prisons, jails, and juvenile detention systems is unknown. We surveyed 6 jails, 22 state prisons, and 3 juvenile detention systems (N = 31 sites) on their contraception policies in 2016. Twenty (65%) sites had formal written contraception policies. All sites allowed people to continue a preincarceration contraceptive method with restrictions on the type of contraception and reason for use. Two sites (6%) did not allow continuation of oral contraceptive pills, 3 sites (10%) did not allow continuation of contraceptive injection, 21 sites (68%) did not allow continuation of contraceptive ring, and 23 sites (74%) did not allow continuation of contraceptive patch. Twenty-eight (90%) sites allowed people to initiate a contraceptive method in custody. Contraception policies in incarceration settings in the United States are varied and may restrict women's ability to continue or initiate the contraception of their choice.