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Fitness Behind Bars. Exploring the Role of Physical Activity and Exercise in Reducing Recidivism
A recent study of 509 inmates in a Spanish prison observed the positive impact that physical activity had on improved mental health. Prisoners who practiced sports during imprisonment had lower levels of anxiety and depression than the group of inmates who did not play sports. The statistical difference between these two groups is significant.
Physical activity, such as sports and exercise, is essential to implement in a correctional facility. Implementing different sports and exercise options within a correctional facility setting is advantageous to the inmate, front-line staff, and administration. One way to do this is by adding outdoor fitness equipment to promote physical and social health and enhance rehabilitation and safety in correctional facilities.
Why Do We Need Gyms in Prisons?
It's often observed among prison populations that many mental and physical health challenges come with being incarcerated. A recent study looked at Spanish prisoners and the correlation between those who exercised while incarcerated and those who did not with their levels of anxiety and depression. Unsurprisingly, this study found that improving your physical health significantly reduced anxiety and depression symptoms.
Physical Health Benefits
The inmates who engaged in physical activities reported better health than those who did not participate. Regular exercise helps fight common illnesses such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. The mindset that "a little is better than nothing" is true regarding exercising. Therefore, even the inmates who did not meet the suggested weekly activity quota of 150 minutes still reaped the benefits of better physical health.
Mental Health Improvements
This study also reinforced the concept that physically active inmates were less anxious and depressed. When someone is dealing with anxiety or depression, physical activity is a beneficial coping mechanism, and it assists inmates in managing the many emotions associated with incarceration. Prison can be lonely and isolating, so sports and exercise are some of a prison's most social and uplifting settings. When exercise and physical activity are done outdoors, these benefits are enhanced, as being in the sunlight and the fresh air is even better for a person's mental health.
Effective Outdoor Exercise Equipment
Outside of sports programs, outdoor exercise equipment can promote physical activity and safety within a prison. Prison gym equipment has been around for decades. However, in the early 2000s, prison gym equipment started becoming more advanced, including features that specifically looked out for the safety and security of an institution and its staff and inmates. Naturally, outdoor exercise equipment became popular among prisons because it was already built for environments where it can withstand vandalism and gets anchored to concrete without regular upkeep and maintenance. Also, most prisons require inmates receive a minimum of 60 minutes outside, so equipping these spaces with weatherproof prison gym equipment is a way to maximize their recreation time.
Real Exercise Biomechanics
Prison gym equipment should incorporate proper exercise biomechanics as inmates want to exercise on equipment that feels good and delivers a great workout. Meanwhile, administrators want equipment that won’t cause injury. That is why prison fitness equipment designed with proper exercise biomechanics will be a hit with the inmates and won't jack up your medical costs to deal with injury.
Low Maintenance
Low-maintenance outdoor exercise equipment ensures long-term usability. When you decide to invest thousands of dollars in prison gym equipment, you want to be confident that it will last. It would be disappointing if the prison gym equipment became a cash cow and does not last longer than a few years.
Weatherproof
When prison gym equipment is weatherproof, you can be confident that it comes with a certain level of durability, as the equipment can only use materials that can withstand the elements. Let this be reassuring to you, as this will improve the likelihood that the equipment will not need a lot of maintenance and can live up to the rigorous usage of a prison.
Practical Implications
The results from this study advocate for correctional facilities to integrate robust physical activity programs to support the well-being of inmates and help create a positive environment. Investing in sports programs and exercise equipment in prisons can be a cost-effective way to support inmate rehabilitation and reduce facility spending on mental health services and medications needed to treat diseases that are more prominent among people who receive a lack of activity.
The Benefits of a Strategic Approach to Correctional Fitness Equipment for Inmate Rehabilitation
While unsurprising, this study shows that inmates who have access to regular physical activity benefit from improved physical and mental health. This can only be implemented if policymakers and administrators make it mandatory that inmates have access to the right outdoor exercise equipment and programs that can support these findings. Physical activity is a critical ingredient in the recipe for rehabilitation and can drastically improve the quality of life of a prisoner while incarcerated.
For more information and citations about this study, click here.