Prison Policy Initiative Report Finds Prison Policies Ignore Menopause Behind Bars
by Michael Dean Thompson
When the Prison Policy Initiative (PPI) surveyed state, federal and DC prison policies to understand how incarcerated women are treated for menopause, they found an astonishing lack of data. Yet, as of 2023, 18% of women incarcerated in state and federal prisons were 50 or older. That figure has more than doubled from just 15 years earlier in 2008. The population growth of older women in prison systems, along with a lack of clear policies, means that thousands of women are likely suffering through menopause without adequate resources or care.
PPI’s review of every state and federal system found only ten that even mention menopause. Five of those states had material that specifically addressed menopause (Alabama, Alaska, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Oregon). Even so, PPI described the language of the documents of the first four states in the above list as “simply slotting the word ‘menopause’ into vague policy templates as though it is a preventable condition like pregnancy or a communicable disease like tuberculosis, rather than a distinct physiological inevitability for half of the global population.” No state or federal system reviewed by PPI managed to provide policies, practices, or recommendations that might be considered an adequate example on how to address menopausal care.
Sadly, the failure dovetails what we already knew about the experiences of women suffering through menopause. Even outside of prison, women can struggle to be taken seriously by medical providers. The lack of readily available information on what they can expect to experience and the treatment options available is often worsened by racial, socioeconomic and geographic disparities. For prisoners, even simple remedies such as ice packs and air-conditioning can be next to impossible to acquire. Women sometimes report receiving disciplinary infractions for trying to manage their symptoms or from often unavoidable challenges such as soiled clothing or bedding.
PPI took the example of work from researchers and the Menopause Project in California to suggest some important steps for prison systems. They should provide:
Education and training on menopause for medical providers
Specialized training for prison staff
Educational and advocacy tools for incarcerated women
Peer support programs
Expanded prescription formulary to include hormone therapy, antidepressants, and other, updated evidence-based treatments
Research and evaluation of implemented programs
Furthermore, the practices should be standardized and placed into prison policy. Prison systems should also be more transparent about the policies, which would improve accountability.
Source: Prison Policy Initiative
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