title: The illness narratives of men involved in the criminal justice system: A study of health behaviors, chronic conditions and HIV/AIDS.
abstract: Former inmates encounter a variety of challenges when returning to their community, including poor health status and limited access to healthcare services. This qualitative study examined how former male inmates with chronic conditions perceived, understood, managed, and coped with their illnesses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participants were Black and Puerto Rican, with a mean age of 47 years, who were interviewed within three years of their release. Participants reported at least one chronic condition, with 21 HIV-negative men using chaos narratives to depict their approach to disease management. Nine HIV-positive men used quest narratives to present their illnesses and were immediately linked to supportive services, enabling them to overcome the barriers to community reintegration. Applications: Health interventions in the area of forensic social work ought to focus on conducting Medicaid outreach and enrollment efforts prior to correctional facility discharge.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valera
authors.affiliation: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Molly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kratz
keywords: HIV/AIDS transmission issues and risk; incarcerated; qualitative research; treatment issues