THRIVE: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ACCESSIBILITY AS AN ISSUE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE, AN INCARCERAL HEALTH WELLNESS PROGRAM MODEL

This thesis is predicated on two ideas: that physical activity is a social determinant of health; and that the American mass incarceral system is a product of structural racism. First, I review the well-known benefits of physical activity and examine the very sparse existent literature on women exercising in American jails and prisons. I then address health disparities for incarcerated populations, exploring historical policies and laws that shaped the current climate of incarceral health. Next, I discuss my motivations and the challenges associated with starting the wellness program I created at a local jail where I lead a workout and meditation class for the female population. I utilize a bioethical lens to compare similarities between my experience in the hospital as a medical student and as a physical fitness instructor at the correctional facility. Finally, I use behavioral theories to highlight the impact exercise can have on individuals and the benefits that extend beyond the bodily and can translate into the increased life skills and personal development needed to impact social change. I conclude with an analysis of how community- based interventions that allow for meaningful engagement, such as exercise programming, can alleviate the stressors associated with incarceration — a physical and metaphorical opportunity for renewal and transformation.

Grantor dc:publisher

Temple University. Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Sloane, Kyra

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Tuohy, Brian

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Tuohy, Brian
• Jones, Nora L.
• Averill, Catherine

• Public health
• Public health education
• Health education
• Health
• Incarcerated
• Jail
• Urban bioethics
• Wellness
• Women

Statement dc:rights

• IN COPYRIGHT- This Rights Statement can be used for an Item that is in copyright. Using this statement implies that the organization making this Item available has determined that the Item is in copyright and either is the rights-holder, has obtained permission from the rights-holder(s) to make their Work(s) available, or makes the Item available under an exception or limitation to copyright (including Fair Use) that entitles it to make the Item available.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12613/10332

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarshare.temple.edu:20.500.12613/10332