Unlocking dimensions of social capital in the prison setting.
BACKGROUND
Social capital has been shown to be a valuable resource for improving health outcomes. However, it has received little attention in the prison setting. Dimensions of social capital in mainstream society are likely to function differently among inmates in prison. This study seeks to identify and understand social capital dimensions among incarcerated men living with hepatitis C.


METHODS
In-depth interviews were conducted across three correctional centres in New South Wales with 30 male inmates living with hepatitis C. Interviews were transcribed then thematically coded and analysed.


RESULTS
There were differences in the access and utility of social capital dimensions in prison focusing specifically on trust and safety, informal and formal networks, agency, and civic engagement.


CONCLUSIONS
Dimensions of social capital do not necessarily translate into prison. An inmate's social capital may foster greater treatment uptake relating to health and rehabilitative programs during their incarceration.
The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Level 6, Wallace Wurth, Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia.
Lise
L
Lafferty
Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia.
Carla
C
Treloar
The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Level 6, Wallace Wurth, Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia.
Tony
T
Butler
National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Sydney, Australia.
Jill
J
Guthrie
National Perinatal Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia.
Georgina M
GM
Chambers
Hepatitis C; Inmates; Prisons; Qualitative research; Social capital