Impact on Quality of Life in Incarcerated Individuals: A Theoretical

Reflection from the Cognitive Perspective of COVID-19

ANA MARÍA LOZANO HURTADO, GUSTAVO ADOLFO GUTIÉRREZ PUERTA,

ISABELA GUTIÉRREZ RIVERA, CRISTIAN DAVID GAVIRIA GIRALDO,

VALERIA CÁRDENAS PARRA

Faculty of Law and Human Sciences, Program of Psychology,

Unidad Central del Valle del Cauca,

Carrera 27A, Salida Sur # 48 -144, Tuluá, Valle del Cauca,

COLOMBIA

Abstract: - The bibliographic review addresses studies conducted concerning incarcerated individuals and how

their cognitive conditions have been affected by factors influencing their quality of life. The experience they

underwent with regard to COVID-19 is particularly significant. While the pandemic affected individuals in

normal living conditions, its impact on incarcerated individuals was even more pronounced, given the

suboptimal psychological, mental, emotional, legal, and physiological conditions within the Colombian prison

system.

Key-Words: - Pandemic, Prison, Mental Impact, Emotions, Legal Systems, quality of life

Received: May 14, 2022. Revised: July 21, 2023. Accepted: August 16, 2023. Published: September 20, 2023.

1 Introduction

Currently, the panorama brought about by COVID-

19 has reflected a discouraging progression marked

by alarming and radical measures, [1], accompanied

by governmental decisions that prevented more

disastrous consequences in populations where,

nonetheless, the virus saw exponential growth, [2].

Moreover, there exists scientific evidence of the

issues that have unfolded since the virus's arrival,

including evidence of its effects on various human

systems, leading to diverse emotional reactions, [3],

[4].

Thus, the world cannot remain indifferent to

how incarcerated individuals have been affected on

psychological, mental, emotional, legal, and

physiological levels. Considering that the COVID-

19 pandemic intensified the manifestation of

symptoms related to isolation, environmental and

social factors for incarcerated individuals, as greater

restrictions and limitations on social interactions

were imposed as preventive measures to curb

contagion, [5].

Mitigating and reducing the risk of COVID-19

transmission within prison environments poses a

significant challenge for public health, [6]. Indeed,

detainees face a higher susceptibility to infection,

transmission, and fatal consequences related to

COVID-19 due to factors such as dormitory and cell

crowding, congested circulation conditions within

correctional facilities, and the high prevalence of

chronic diseases. Furthermore, characteristics of

infection and the massive spread of this infectious

disease were observed within the incarcerated

population, [7], amplified by the flow of

contamination resulting from overcrowding,

vulnerability under insufficient surveillance and

sanitary control, or precarious and unsanitary

conditions, [8].

Furthermore, the World Health Organization,

[9], outlines several factors that render incarcerated

individuals vulnerable in terms of mental health

impact: overcrowding, social isolation, lack of

privacy, and absence of meaningful activities. It is

established that the onset of the pandemic caused by

the SARS-CoV-2 virus in penitentiary institutions

resulted in diminished cognitive potential and

greater behavioral implications, [5], [10].

From this point onward, the foundational

propositions of humanistic approaches by Abraham

Maslow and those aligned with the tenets of Max-

Neef emphasize that humans possess fundamental

needs that must be fulfilled, not only from a

hierarchical perspective, but also from the viewpoint

of being, having, doing, and being present, [11],

[12].

Undoubtedly, preexisting challenges were

exacerbated by the issues caused by the COVID-19

pandemic, given the high levels of overcrowding in

Colombian prisons and deficiencies in health and

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

80

Volume 20, 2023

sanitation systems, [13]. It was reasonable to

assume that the introduction of the virus would

significantly intensify the crisis within the

penitentiary sphere, [14]. However, while

overcrowding heightens the chances of COVID-19

contraction among incarcerated individuals (IIs), it

is not the sole risk factor associated with detention

facilities, [15].

While it is true that overpopulation situations in

Latin America have particularly severe impacts on

the occurrence and spread of coronavirus infections

within penitentiary institutions, [16], the inherent

infrastructure and health conditions present in

detention facilities globally also hinder the

implementation of actions aimed at preventing

disease expansion, [17]. For this reason, penitentiary

and correctional establishments internationally have

assumed a pivotal role in efforts to control pandemic

spread, [18], as they inevitably exhibit three

conditions highly conducive to contagion: enclosed

environments, overcrowding, and limited

ventilation, [15].

Understanding the incarcerated population's

vulnerability to potential virus effects necessitates

contributing to the understanding of human

behaviors within prison communities, deeply rooted

and influenced by global circumstances. In this case,

these behaviors are particularly relevant in response

to the virus's consequences and the establishment of

coping strategies aimed at mitigating adverse effects

on the well-being and health of individuals at higher

risk due to the potential for rapid spread, confined

spaces, and overcrowding, [19], [20], [21], [22]. In

this regard, the IACHR has highlighted that

overcrowding emerges as a primary challenge

concerning deprivation of liberty in the Americas.

Moreover, it underscores that this leads to various

severe risks to the life and personal well-being of

those detained. In conclusion, the Commission has

directed its focus toward the notable consequences

that overcrowding has on the health of those in

detention, especially during the evolution of the

COVID-19 pandemic, [23].

The psychosocial perspective based within the

penitentiary context revisits the term "privatization,"

according to authors, [24], [25], as the transition and

changes evident in physical and mental health,

validating cognitive, emotional, sexual factors, and

adaptive reaction within the context of freedom

deprivation. In accordance with the presented

definition, a close relationship is identified with the

diverse psychosocial effects developed within this

research population.

When a person is compelled to confront and

adapt to their incarcerated status, a reference point is

established that entails alterations in physical,

psychological, and social aspects. Throughout this

process, physical separation from support networks

is experienced, along with radical transformations in

social, familial, and work dynamics, resulting in a

significant impact on the individual's life, [26].

Additionally, imprisonment escalates tension levels,

brings about emotional problems, reduces family

income, and inflicts detrimental consequences on

children, [27].

The described exploration of the interplay

between social circumstances and the cognitive

domains of incarcerated individuals can lead to a

legitimate and preventive interpretation from

psychology, enabling a rational distinction between

stressors and their resultant factors, [28], [29].

In accordance with the aforementioned, the

objective of this article is founded upon establishing

a contemporary theoretical and conceptual

foundation concerning the cognitive effects of

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) on the incarcerated

population. Through a bibliometric review

methodology derived from the PRISMA guidelines,

an examination of the relationship between the

influence of cognitive impairments associated with

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) on the conditions and

ways of life of incarcerated individuals is

conducted, aimed at enhancing the quality of life

and mental health. This delineation involves a

review of articles available in the Spanish language

relating to the quality of life among incarcerated

individuals and the adverse cognitive effects of

COVID-19.

For information retrieval, keywords pertaining

to the pertinent variables within the study were

identified and subsequently validated through

verification against the UNESCO Thesaurus.

Drawing from these, searches were conducted

across diverse databases including Scielo, PubMed,

Dialnet, university repositories, Scopus, and others.

The search was structured using the Boolean

formula pandemic AND prison, pandemic AND

mental effect, prison AND mental effect, prison

AND quality of life, prison AND legal systems.

Initially, prison AND quality of life, 160 articles

were identified; however, guided by inclusion and

exclusion criteria such as the publication years

between 2018 and 2022, relevance to the studied

variables, and a global origin with a preference for

national contributions, a final selection of 40 articles

was made.

In conclusion, notwithstanding the prominent

emphasis on the cataclysmic effects of the global

pandemic, not solely confined to the incarcerated

population, within this demographic, the

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

81

Volume 20, 2023

psychological ramifications were more profound

than mere contagion, but intricately linked to the

adaptation to incarceration, [28], [29], [30].

2 Problem Statement

Considering the typical structure of a bibliographic

review methodology, it is understood as a scientific

and academic product that synthesizes, analyzes,

argues, discusses, and compiles information in

general terms about a given topic. Within this

method of academic literature, it enables the

incorporation of thematic and critical exercises on

the studied phenomenon as a complement and

theoretical-conceptual support for the discussion,

[31].

Thus, it is important to recognize the distinction

between the two purposes that a compilation of

scientific information serves, primarily in terms of

academia and research, as pertains to the

phenomenon addressed in this writing, touching on

related elements concerning the trajectory and

progression of the SARS-CoV-2 virus globally. In

addition to these premises, the concept of the state

of the art is linked, understood as the most recent

advances in science and research itself. This is in

relation to the set of academically relevant

experimental procedures, seeking the correlation of

variables related to the topic under consideration, a

thesis reflected within the framework of this article,

especially concerning aspects of cognitive nature,

mental health stability, quality of life, and

incarcerated individuals, [32].

This review was developed by means of a

systematic scheme using the existing literature from

various information sources, including university

repositories (Universidad del Quindio, Universidad

Pontificia Javeriana, PUCESA, Universidad del

Valle, Universidad Distrital, UNAL, UNSA, UTA,

UNAC, UPF) and other databases such as PubMed,

Scielo, Scopus, Coursehero, ScienceDirect,

UNODC, and Lancet (Table 1). A base terminology

was employed, along with the combination of

different keywords, such as COVID-19, “Personas

Privadas de la Libertad” (incarcerated individuals),

“Calidad de Vida” (quality of life), “Efecto

cognitive” (cognitive effects), “Problemática

Social” (social issues), and “Contexto jurídico”

(legal context). Additionally, the Google Scholar

platform was used as a secondary source of

information, always respecting the criteria and

terminologies adopted for this literature review.

Chronologically, the search task began in early

April 2022 and ended in the first days of August

2022. This date is consistent with the start of

knowledge construction, which began with

approximately 160 information sources as a

significant part of the literary analysis, and in

accordance with the research selection criteria

(Figure 1).

Table 1. Consulted sources

Database

Quantity

%

University repositories

20

39,21%

Dialnet

11

21,56%

PubMed

4

15,68%

SciELO

3

5,88%

Organizations and United Nations Offices (UN - WHO - UNODC)

3

5,88%

Internet Archive Scholar

2

3,92%

ScienceDirect

1

1,96%

Lancet

1

1,96%

Scopus

1

1,96%

Coursehero

1

1,96%

Academia.edu

1

1,96%

Medigraphic

1

1,96%

Infomed- Rev Panorama

1

1,96%

Authors' own elaboration

Total

51

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

82

Volume 20, 2023

Fig. 1: Flowchart of search, selection, and exclusion of articles.

Source: Authors' own elaboration

Particularly, within this article, the search

included documents such as literature reviews,

scientific articles with qualitative and quantitative

designs, products from foreign and local university

repositories, experimental research, reports,

professional thesis papers, books, and information

or communication databases. The search and

selection of documentary sources were

independently carried out by the group of

researchers, with the data extraction from each

article being grouped according to the determined

results, thus being consistent with what was

established in the problem statement.

Meanwhile, the selection criteria considered are

based on a document review approach on studies

determining cognitive aspects in relation to prison

stay during the confinement period by COVID-19.

These studies are constituted according to

qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methodologies

and from cross-sectional or longitudinal designs.

On the other hand, according to what is stated in

Figure 1, in the first phase of this review, around

160 bibliographic resources were found, considering

filters of information such as Spanish and English

languages, complete texts or important fragments,

and primary or secondary research. The exclusion of

documents was carried out based on topics different

from the described variables, thus the consolidation

of the database comprised 58 articles, 7 of which

were refined in a second phase due to their

theoretical contents, leaving a total of 51 that

include concrete results of research and other

academic reflections that met the aforementioned

requirements (Figure 1). Lastly, with the intention

of taking the most up-to-date data, the third

information filter was reduced to the reference

sections of the last 5 years of academic evolution

(Table 2).

However, this review, according to the

territorial classification of bibliographic references,

extends across the continents of Asia and Europe,

reaching Central America and Latin America, all the

while supporting the considerations of international

and/or global entities such as the World Health

Organization, the Pan American Health

Organization, among others (Table 3).

Table 2. The final result of 40 selected articles according to the year of publication.

Year

Quantity

%

2018

2

5%

2019

6

15%

2020

16

40%

2021

12

30%

2022

4

10,00%

Total

40

Authors' own elaboration.

Third analysis

Second analysis

First analysis

Search in databases

Selected

articles

N= 160

Selected

articles

N= 58

Selected

articles

N= 51

Selected

articles

N= 40

Excluded

articles

N= 11

Excluded

articles

N= 7

Excluded

articles

N= 102

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

83

Volume 20, 2023

That stated, this review, according to the territorial

classification of the bibliographic references,

extends across the continents of Asia and Europe,

reaching Central America and Latin America, all

while supporting the considerations of international

and/or global entities such as the World Health

Organization, the Pan American Health

Organization, among others (Table 3).

With clear purposes and guidelines for the

review, an information classification scheme was

developed according to the selected topics and

sources consulted from the methodological

approach of this article, with emphasis on

Incarcerated Individuals and, in descending

frequency order: COVID-19 as a global health

emergency, followed by cognitive implications,

quality of life and mental health, then the

importance of the emotional aspect of human

beings, and lastly, the legal and constitutional

approach to human rights (Table 4 Appendix and

Table 5).

Table 3. Selected articles according to the country of publication

Country

Quantity

%

Colombia

13

32,50%

Spain

9

22,50%

Ecuador

5

12,50%

Peru

3

7,50%

Iran

1

2,50%

Cuba

2

5,00%

China

2

5,00%

Japan

1

2,50%

England

1

2,50%

Pakistan

1

2,50%

Chile

1

2,50%

Mexico

1

2,50%

Total

40

Source. Authors' own elaboration.

Table 5. Frequency of Variables in the reviewed articles

Variable

Quantity

%

Quality of Life (QoL)

6

15%

Cognition (CG)

7

18%

Emotionality (E)

5

13%

Mental Health (MH)

6

15%

Covid-19 (C19)

25

63%

Incarcerated Individuals (II)

28

70%

Human Rights (HR)

1

3%

Total number of articles = 40

Authors' own elaboration

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

84

Volume 20, 2023

3 Problem-solving

3.1 Epidemiological Chronology

Diseases that have disrupted human life at various

points in history have paved an endless societal

trajectory, considering all those viruses and/or

related elements that, at some juncture, caused

distress and mortality. Therefore, the central focus

of the arguments in this section will be anchored in

diseases such as the Black Death, [33], the H1N1

flu, [34], (influenza / H1N1), [35], and the recent

and catastrophic global pandemic of COVID-19.

With this historical backdrop in mind, the Black

Death, which emerged around 1348, wrought a

profound impact on the European population and

its environs. The most effective transmission routes

were established through commercial channels

between Europe and Asia. However, historical

records also demonstrate that the impact of this

disease extended beyond exposure and contagion.

The high mortality rates were exacerbated by the

vulnerability of the population, given the economic

and agricultural crises of the era. These crises

ushered in an extended period of famine, [33].

This virus, according to its pathological

classification, was mainly transmitted by animals

and produced by the Yersinia Pestis bacterium,

which usually settled on fleas in animals, and it was

through the coexistence with humans that

contagion became possible. Given the ease of

contagion, this endemic disease became one of the

most devastating phenomena known in history,

with outbreaks occurring every few years for two

centuries. The deadliest outbreak was in 1347,

followed by 1362 and 1364 in Europe, and later

years in the Mediterranean. All these appearances

of the black plague became less deadly and violent

over time until they eventually “disappeared”, [33].

Centuries later (20th century), harmful viruses

for human life emerged, such as variations of the

influenza or H1N1 flu (H1N1), a family of

orthomyxoviruses (RNA viruses grouped into five

subtypes), including influenza types A, B, C, [34],

and two other genera, namely Isavirus and

Thogotovirus, [35], all of these viruses

consolidated around 1918 as another great

pandemic in human history, permeated by the

climate of World War I and renamed at the time as

Spanish flu or influenza, mainly because Spain was

the country with the first outbreak of press

coverage on the high mortality rates of the disease

itself. Subsequently, there were outbreaks of this

virus in 1957, known that year as the Asian flu

(N2N2), and in 1968 as the Hong Kong flu

(H3N2), [36], [37]. Both cases left mortality

estimates reaching 4 million and 1.5 million,

respectively, even though the origins of these

mentioned variations of this virus are not entirely

clear, [38].

Now, this virus has had other outbreaks, such

as the case of 2009, where contagion of this A

(H1N1) flu was evident; however, its incidence was

not recognized as a significant public health risk

because, despite the mild and moderate symptoms,

the recovery process was increasingly quick and

favorable. Even in prisons where there were cases,

treatment was reduced to attention within the

penitentiary establishments due to the good

receptivity of individuals to treatment, [39].

Subsequently, it is worth mentioning COVID-19, a

phenomenon classified as the disease caused by

coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2, of which little was

known about its implications until the outbreak in

Wuhan, China at the end of 2019. It became a

global health emergency given its spread and

contagion throughout the world. This virus, like the

previous ones mentioned, has caused high levels of

death, changes to human life, and a direct impact

on the overall quality of life, [1]. The brief

transmission process of the disease led the WHO to

declare it an international public health emergency,

taking into account the virus's impact on less

developed countries in terms of healthcare

infrastructure. As of April 10, 2020, approximately

182 positive cases of COVID-19 had been reported,

along with 1,563,857 confirmed cases and 95,044

fatalities, resulting in a fatality rate of 6.08%, [9].

3.2 Quality of Life as a Concept

According to the World Health Organization

(WHO), quality of life is understood as an

individual's perception of their existence, based on

the correlation between expectations, norms,

concerns, and objectives that cover the global

population, while also integrating their

psychological state, autonomy in the formation of

interpersonal relationships, and physical health,

[40]. However, Liebling and Arnold's postulates,

[41], emphasize two aspects of this theme: the

material conditions that encompass the physical

structure of correctional facilities, and the morality

and ethics within these institutions, constituted by

considerations such as dignity, respect, and

humanity. All the above suggests, in one way or

another, that pre-existing interpersonal

relationships within these spaces are one of the

elements that protect and establish the quality of

life of incarcerated individuals (II).

Furthermore, the individual performance of

these people becomes one of the causes of the

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

85

Volume 20, 2023

treatment within the correctional facilities, given

that in many cases it becomes dehumanizing during

the process of fulfilling judicial sentences, [42],

due to the subjective and objective material

conditions that seek to shape such sociability, [43],

linking to the positive evaluations that are made,

considering that within these spaces they are

perceived as moral collectivities despite the evident

power imbalance, [42].

3.3 Globality of Quality of Life in Prisons

Starting from the recognition that Colombia is

structurally recognized as a Social Rule of Law

State, [44], safeguards must be prioritized to

protect the healthy exercise of fundamental rights

based on respect and dignity that, from the

correctional facilities, are oriented toward the

rehabilitation and resocialization processes of

incarcerated individuals (hereinafter II), [45].

However, the increase in the prison population

intensifies overcrowding, especially when sharp

and pronounced increases in population occur

within short periods of time. While not all countries

experiencing population growth have prison

overcrowding, Colombia ranks 46th out of 204

countries examined in this regard. Additionally, it

holds the fifth position among South American

countries with the highest levels of prison

overcrowding (Table 6).

Within this entire spectrum, emphasis is placed

on the treatment within these penitentiary

establishments, which, according to some authors

like, [46], should be carried out in accordance with

the principles of respect and human dignity.

However, given the living conditions and minimal

sanitary guarantees, the process of rehabilitation is

not something that is clearly perceived within these

establishments in the country.

This is also due to certain attitudes projected by

custodial agents within the prison centers of the

National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (INPEC,

for its acronym in Spanish), which is why the

figures presented take on an alarming character for

society, as the conditions within the prisons do not

fall outside of dehumanization; a number of

incidents involve the state as a responsible entity

for the exercise and fulfillment of human rights for

all types of populations, [47].

Authors such as, [3], addressed and described

the no satisfaction of such fundamental needs as a

result of the complexity and variability of lifestyles,

as well as the human being as a whole;

understanding the achievement of quality of life as

the set of elements affecting the satisfaction of

basic needs, which allow for the maintenance of

physical and mental health, and which are

somewhat influenced by the social environment

and the individual perception of II, [48].

Now, in directing this academic narrative on

scientific and investigative evidence, Rodríguez,

[28], states the quality of life in prison is a

multivariate concept in which it is relevant to

mention the time within the center and the

regulation of the space that is evidenced within it;

although social relationships formed there also

come into play, comprising a more incident sphere

that can be consolidated as a risk or protective

factor depending on the type of interpersonal bond,

[49].

The above can be understood as a directly

proportional correlation in the quality of life of

inmates, as they feel affectively accepted, they

strengthen their empathy; however, when they are

in a precarious environment, conflict and violence

increase; In relation to this, a study in which the

Measuring the Quality of Prison Life (MQPL)

survey by, [41], was used to mainly look for the

perception of quality of life within prisons, found

that cordiality and coexistence within penitentiary

centers were noted as regular, this due to

shortcomings in the implementation of policies of

humane treatment, which influence in one way or

another in psychosocial areas of II and in criminal

behavior, [29].

Table 6. Intramural Population by Region

Location

Populatio

n

Capacit

y

Overcrowdin

g

CENTRAL

35,673

30,767

15,90%

OCCIDENT

E

18,887

15,301

23,40%

NORTE

9,466

7,391

28,10%

ORIENTE

9,723

7,88

23,40%

NORESTE

11,976

8,196

46,10%

VIEJO

CALDAS

11,576

11,148

3,80%

*Source: Adapted from Statistical Tables - INPEC

(2020)

3.4 Forms of life in Colombian prisons

In this context, if the narrative of this review

focuses on the ways of life of II, particularly in the

Colombian context, with a special interest in the

mental health of these subjects, it is necessary to

take into account some research studies that

mention how the experiences and the permanence

in the prisons of Colombia managed by the

National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (INPEC,

for its acronym in Spanish) have implications for

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

86

Volume 20, 2023

personal achievement for this population, involving

here autonomy, self-esteem, self-control, and other

elements that have this same prefix and mainly

involve intrapersonal aspects. This has been

demonstrated by studies that show that life inside

penitentiary and prison centers wears down and

impoverishes these individuals psychologically,

leading to alarming mental health conditions, [5],

[10], [50].

These facts highlight the importance of

identifying the current state of mental health care in

Colombian prisons, in order to initiate solutions

aimed at creating environments conducive to social

health, which could be used to diagnose and predict

conditions and symptoms that could impede the

correct execution of such transformation plans, [5],

[10].

On the other hand, [24], conducted a study that

aimed to analyze sociability among a group of

incarcerated women, which resulted in low scores

precisely in the indicators that generate

interpersonal skills. This finding is of relevance to

the quality of life of II, as understanding the human

being as a rational being who faces constant

processes of decision-making and interaction, they

struggle between good and evil. This is approached

in the article from the perspectives of morality and

social ethics, leaning towards legal actions that

justify the deprivation of liberty in each individual

case, [51].

Up to this point, it has been described how the

satisfaction of needs, as proposed by Maslow, is

limited in Colombian prison facilities, considering

three premises: the physical structure and/or

distribution of space in the penitentiary centers, the

dehumanizing and humiliating treatment that is

evidenced in prisons, and the conflicts that limit

interaction and decrease social contact among II.

From another point of view, the fact that

human beings are born in a condition of absolute

freedom is important to consider, specifically

speaking about the Colombian state according to

articles 20 and 28 of the current Political

Constitution, [44], [52], a person is born free in

terms of thought, opinion, feeling, person, and

family; that freedom ends when social

responsibility is violated and a written order from a

competent judicial authority is issued.

Therefore, it is necessary for the State's

resources to be allocated to improve the conditions

in the penitentiary centers, as this is a forgotten part

of the population that not only receives punishment

for their sentence but also inhumane and degrading

treatment from the State, [6], [15], [53].

In contrast, the study conducted by, [54], arrived at

a somewhat controversial conclusion. They found

that both incarcerated and non-incarcerated men

demonstrate resilience and happiness. This

conclusion is substantiated by the fact that

individuals possess personal capacities and abilities

(independence, decisiveness, invincibility,

empowerment, self-confidence, and ingenuity), as

well as other responses to adversity (adaptability,

equilibrium, perseverance, and flexibility).

3.5 Covid-19 as a Threat to II and Human

Societies in General

Now, when focusing this review on one of the most

impactful health problems in global societies, the

Sars-CoV-2 virus emerges as a pandemic that

represents effects from macro-systems to micro-

systems, taking into account, along with the

previous thesis, the work of Urie Bronfenbrenner,

[3], including social and economic, as well as

labor, educational, and family fields, taking as a

preventive measure the manifestation of various

behaviors, feelings, and emotions, along with fear

of illness and death, helplessness, loneliness,

sadness, hopelessness, worry, guilt, and others, [4].

In this context, the variable of family in the context

of incarceration and the establishment of social

support networks as a means of promoting mental

health within the prison setting is highlighted. This

is particularly pertinent when considering the

related consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Thus, the results obtained by, [55], stand out,

revealing that the majority of incarcerated

individuals did not maintain any form of romantic

relationship or stable partnership (62.1%). It is

understood that such interpersonal connections

facilitate the cultivation of positive attitudes and

reeducation.

Prison, as an environment, not only subjects

these individuals to family separation but also to

social detachment, both in a drastic manner. This

complex scenario further complicates the process

of adaptation and may potentially hinder coping

mechanisms on behavioral, emotional, and

cognitive levels, [28], [49].

During the evolution of the social crisis caused

by Covid-19, the risk to the quality of life and both

the physical and mental health of II did not go

unnoticed, as the high levels of vulnerability of

these individuals caused Covid-19 to be expected

to have the worst possible impact on them, [22],

this was not only due to deficiencies in health care

and confined spaces within prisons, [20], but also

due to the rapid spread of the virus as an infectious

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

87

Volume 20, 2023

disease, which became critical in the second half of

March 2020, [19], [21].

All of this highlighted a latent need within

these centers regarding the reinforcement of their

healthcare teams and preventive measures in

emergency situations, ultimately safeguarding

security and health within these establishments,

[21], [56]. Similarly, the report disseminated by the

United Nations details how the pandemic in the

year 2021 disproportionately affected prison

systems and the global incarcerated population,

which surpasses eleven million individuals.

According to estimates, more than 527,000 inmates

contracted the virus in 122 countries, resulting in

the deaths of over 3,800 individuals across 47 of

those countries, [21].

The conditions within Colombian prisons do

not meet the necessary requirements to uphold

health and dignity during a public health

emergency. There is a significant risk of contagion

within prisons due to confinement, lack of

ventilation, privacy, and overcrowding, [6], [15],

[53]. These conditions were present prior to the

arrival of COVID-19, but their risk level increased

with its emergence, leading to not only evident

physical consequences and an elevated danger of

chronic diseases but also mental health aspects

concerning adaptation, [5], [10], [57].

At the national level, 136 deaths related to

COVID-19 were recorded in penitentiary centers

between April and October of the year 2020. More

than half of these deaths occurred in individuals

over 60 years of age, with 94.9% being male and

5.1% female population (Table 7), [30].

Table 7. Epidemiological situation of COVID-19 by age and sex as of October 31, 2020

Characteristic

Females

Males

Total

% of age group

Tests applied RT-PCR

Total tests

3 542

38 846

42 388

100

< 3 years

2

17

19

0

18-26 years

884

8 100

8 984

21,2

27-59 years

2 447

27 390

29 837

70,4

> 60 years

209

3 339

3 548

8,4

Confirmed cases

Total cases

1 703

15 101

16 804

100

< 3 years

2

11

13

0,1

18-26 years

431

3 040

3 471

20,7

27-59 years

1 201

10 513

11 714

69,7

> 60 years

69

1 537

1 606

9,6

ICU hospitalization

Total deaths

3

77

80

100

18-26 years

0

1

1,2

27-59 years

3

29

32

40

> 60 years

0

47

58,8

Mortality

Total deaths

7

129

136

100

18-26 years

0

1

0,7

27-59 years

4

45

49

36

> 60 years

3

83

86

63,3

*Source: Adapted from Piñeros-Báez, V. H. (2021)

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

88

Volume 20, 2023

Such circumstances hold relevance on a global

scale since, despite the social disparities among

nations, the pandemic's effects have similarly and

exponentially strained demands on public

healthcare systems, resulting in new points of

social instability due to resource shortages and

insufficient guarantees for various segments of the

population, [58].

In light of the aforementioned, the statement

made by the Commissioner for Human Rights of

the Council of Europe on April 6, 2020, is

highlighted, which states that individuals within

prisons are part of vulnerable populations in the

face of contagion, according to the high-risk

environment to which they are subjected, [8].

The way of managing such a crisis within the

penitentiary institutions of Colombia has become a

great social challenge, since the protection of

fundamental rights and moral and physical integrity

demand effective and proactive actions from the

country's penitentiary administrations, thus

promoting mental health and quality of life, [59],

although, given the uncertainty stemming from the

health emergency, it was taken into account that,

not having the possibility to adequately respond to

the situation, processes of release or conditional

liberty had to be adopted only if staying in these

establishments posed significant risks to the life

and dignity of these individuals, to the extent

possible, [8].

Within the prisons of the Basque Country, La

Rioja, and Madrid, the first actions that were taken

to prevent the effects of the virus in prisons were to

reduce contact with family and visitors, with the

only exception being through telephone

communication with them. However, this attempt

to mitigate contagion within prisons reached the

point of excluding support staff in these centers,

which could trigger the emergence of risk factors

and the limitation of material and human resources

of primary need in prisons, [49].

From another perspective, the literature shows

that one of the main guarantees during the COVID-

19 pandemic was the advancement of processes

and/or phases of progressive vaccination. However,

considering the incarcerated population, if these

measures to control COVID-19 contagion had been

promptly provided to these individuals, the

probability of containment against the spread of the

virus within prisons would have been low, [60].

According to the European Committee for the

Prevention of Torture (CPT) in its Declaration of

Principles on the Treatment of II during COVID-

19, any restrictive measure allied to prisons should

be proportional to the inherent necessity, respectful

of human dignity, and time-limited. Regarding

visits, the WHO anticipated this issue in its

Provisional Guidance on Preparedness, Prevention,

and Control of COVID-19 in Prisons, but this

directly impacted the increase in anxiety that the

separation of these individuals from the outside

world may have caused, [8].

3.6 Nervous System (NS) and Cognition in

the Context of Covid-19

There is great relevance in cognitive responses

within this discussion, as well as the impact of

these on mental health, also linking individuals'

executive functions (EF), demonstrating an

alteration or change in these depending on the type

of conditions in which the subject operates. Saíz,

[10], argues that to achieve effective cognition that

safeguards stability in mental health, the brain must

be exercised, thereby ensuring that daily tasks and

those involving complex functioning are carried out

fully.

However, this author also mentions that factors

such as sleep, and mood state also have a

determining influence on cognitive well-being.

Therefore, it can be concluded that stimulation of

physical and mental activity improves performance

in attention, memory, thinking, executive function,

and reaction speed, and likewise promotes healthy

cognitive aging, [5].

On the other hand, in situating this literary

discussion on the participation of the nervous

system (NS) and its multiple neurological

manifestations given the spread of the Sars-CoV-2

virus, the information that can be gathered is

limited, supported by the fact that less than a

quarter of patients with positive diagnoses of

Covid-19 presented evidence of neural or nervous

system involvement. However, other authors have

stated that a subject with pre-existing

cerebrovascular pathologies may encode a higher

risk factor and negative prognosis against the

contagion of this virus, [61], [62].

The main manifestations that underlie the

central nervous system (CNS) due to the presence

of SARS-CoV-2 are encephalopathies, headaches,

cerebrovascular accidents, myelitis, and

dyskinesias. These effects in relation to COVID-19

patients were not uniformly described in different

studies, however, among all, neuralgia, anosmia,

dysgeusia, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), and a

variety of implications on the musculoskeletal

system can be highlighted, [63].

Focusing the discussion on the neurological

field, particularly regarding the repercussions

stemming from Covid-19, it could be mentioned

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

89

Volume 20, 2023

that, [64], observed that few patients presented with

cerebrovascular difficulties and seizures,

unfortunately resulting in the absence of

specialized sampling and recording, as these could

have been crucial procedures in the neurological

invasion brought about by Covid-19, while also

enabling the identification of causal factors in the

presence of respiratory failure upon SARS-CoV-2

infection in some patients but not others, [64].

Within the statistics of recovery and survival of

people who suffered from COVID-19, [65],

understanding the non-specific cortical and

subcortical injuries or alterations presented by these

individuals, [66], along with other discoveries that

have been reported to date, considering executive

functions, [67], allows for the identification of two

particular aspects. Firstly, the absence of a clear

neuropsychological functioning pattern in relation

to COVID-19, and secondly, the fact that the global

population faced an alarming condition with a

direct impact on mental health, involving

psychologists, neuropsychologists, and other

behavioral professionals in this scenario.

For this reason, the pandemic and its effects are

not limited to executive involvement, but initially

permeate phylogenetic, ontogenetic, and epigenetic

correlates, with the latter two encompassing all

aspects related to individuals' personality and their

development in processes of socialization,

desocialization, and resocialization. The third is a

key stance defended by penitentiary and prison

centers, which has been emphasized within this

document, [68].

Globally, in neuroscientific research, varying

sensitivity in detecting cognitive impairment was

observed during applications in screening tests,

[61], as an example, how the Mini-Mental State

Examination (MMSE) was shown to be less

sensitive than MoCA in detecting cognitive

impairment at the moderate level within each

sample.

This phenomenon is evidenced primarily

through comparative research conducted among

focus groups consisting of asymptomatic

individuals and control groups, where significant

differences were not as pronounced when using the

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA).

However, contrasting results emerged during the

administration of specific subtests of this

assessment, where levels of cognitive deterioration

were indeed detected. This led the authors to

conclude that individuals might have been

experiencing difficulties not adequately addressed

by standardized tests, [68].

On the other hand, another issue found in different

studies that associate COVID-19 with cognitive

functioning is linguistic, specifically emphasizing

language fluency as an executive function. This

also includes naming difficulties, anomia, aphasia,

and problems with written language, finding that

difficulties with attention and concentration were

mostly related to cognition and memory, [68]. In

summary, the most severe implications during the

pandemic were underlined as affecting executive

functioning and verbal learning, according to some

authors, [69].

3.7 Cognitive Deterioration as a Result of a

Sentence

When discussing the cognitive functioning of

incarcerated individuals in penitentiary and

correctional institutions, it is necessary to start by

examining the process of entering these

establishments because of being convicted for

committing a criminal act. This event can lead to a

decline in certain cognitive functions as a result of

confinement and the challenge of adapting to a

new, unfamiliar situation. This process of

adaptability can compromise the cognitive abilities

and skills of individuals, due to dissatisfaction with

physiological and social needs, which can result in

memory failure, attention loss, temporal-spatial

disorientation, withdrawal, and alterations in eating

and sleeping patterns, [5], [28], [70].

Depending on the way in which individuals

adjust to their new living conditions and the degree

of plasticity in the brain, which seeks to maintain

stability in the face of new circumstances and

environments. These issues are even more

prevalent in incarcerated individuals who are

elderly, as this stage of the life cycle also involves

a need for reflection on their quality of life, [13],

which is inextricably linked to recognition and self-

realization needs that are inhibited within the

prison system, as previously mentioned in this text.

Accordingly, it becomes relevant to consider the

challenges faced by individuals with dementia or

moderate cognitive impairment within prisons

given the situation of confinement and

incarceration, which led to modifications in

established routines and a reduction in sociability

and access to support networks. Meanwhile,

engaging in stimulating, enjoyable activities and

physical exercise was limited and even abolished

within these establishments, directly impacting the

health status of individuals. Confusion,

disorientation, the emergence of mental and

behavioral disorders, and neuropsychiatric

symptoms such as delusions, agitation, and

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

90

Volume 20, 2023

hallucinations were constant and emerging effects

of all these changes within prisons, [71], presenting

a much more consistent and riskier incidence

during the COVID-19 pandemic.

4 Limitations

The proposed methodology in this document

presents several limitations that pertain to

constraints or weaknesses encountered during the

information search, review, and processing.

Common limitations include source availability, as

not all instances of online publication

encompassing the foundational terminology adhere

to scientific criteria or meet minimal requirements

for academic consideration. This affects the

integrity and comprehensiveness of the review,

consequently impacting the quality of the drawn

conclusions.

Furthermore, language plays a significant role

during the bibliographic review process. Restricting

the review to a single language can lead to the loss

or omission of pertinent information. Similarly,

biases present in publications, stemming from

various factors such as scientific validation,

instrument endorsement, publication dates, source

quality, keyword scope, researcher personal biases

during selection, and data reliability aspects,

constitute variables that influence the development

and accomplishment of the scope and objectives of

this bibliographic review.

5 Discussion and Conclusion

The Covid-19 pandemic as a global health

emergency, undoubtedly brought about alterations

in various spheres of life for the global population,

and in terms of the focus of this writing, imminent

repercussions for the quality of life and mental

health. However, when emphasizing the living

conditions of II within penitentiary and prison

establishments, this context generates uncertainty

from an academic standpoint, as factors within

prisons that affect the lives of these individuals

overlap with affective, perceptual, cognitive,

emotional, behavioral, and social imbalances,

mainly due to constant situations of tension. It is

agreed that II are prone to developing

symptomatology related to mental disorders such as

stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as other

affective implications such as low levels of self-

esteem, interaction, and adaptation, among others.

Some of these ideas are similar to those expressed

by Andrea Catalina Lobo, a legal psychologist,

lawyer, and professor at the Pontificia Universidad

Javeriana for the PESQUISA journal of the same

institution.

Particularly, by focusing attention on emotional

aspects as determining elements of the human

being, it can be said that under "normal" conditions

within prisons, there is a prevalence of II with

symptoms of anxiety and depression, as, [72],

demonstrates in a study where a sample of

incarcerated women was analyzed, it was

determined that more than half of them ingested

oral medication to inhibit the aforementioned

symptoms, along with other similar psychological

disorders, which, according to this research, arise

from the condition of isolation due to the state of

imprisonment or deprivation of liberty.

In this regard, incarcerated individuals (II) in

Colombia develop adaptation and survival

strategies during their stay in a correctional facility

that involves denial, inhibition, and suppression of

those emotions that, according to Daniel Goleman's

classification of primary emotions, [73], they are

part of primary emotions since they are controlled

by the brain in one way or another and can generate

survival responses in hostile environments, [14].

Initially, these behaviors may be considered

maladaptive due to the harsh context of a

correctional institution, yet they are a product of

the brain's restructuring proposed by Damasio

through exposure to new stimuli and experiences,

[74]. Descriptive research findings demonstrate that

these behavioral reactions may represent low levels

of quality of life within prisons, proposing that

coping responses oriented toward cognitive areas

reflect better quality of life, with logical analysis

standing out as the process that enables mental

preparation for stressors and their consequential

factors, [75].

As a complement to the previous arguments,

the position of, [76], stands out, who points out that

the longer the time in a situation of deprivation of

liberty, the higher the levels of emotional

symptoms may be, with the most common ones

being stress, anxiety, and depression. On the other

hand, according to, [77], ,1 in 25 incarcerated

individuals suffered some kind of emotional

disturbance in the last year, in this case taking into

account common factors such as pathologies such

as adaptive disorder, bipolar affective disorder,

panic, and generalized anxiety. [50], establish fear

as the main emotion of uncertainty towards the

future, which appears when thinking about re-entry

into correctional facilities, feeling of not being

heard, and social isolation, problems that arise in

prison include defending oneself from others and

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

91

Volume 20, 2023

the inability to live freely and autonomously.

Moreover, certain nosological possibilities such as

depression are mentioned as a clear product of the

aforementioned aspects, repercussions of these

problems are greater as age advances and sensory

and cognitive-affective deficiencies become more

evident, [78],

When discussing the “COVID-19” pandemic,

various authors and health entities defend the idea

that overcrowding is the main factor associated

with the high degree of transmission of contagious

diseases within Colombian prisons, [62]. In these

contexts, it is natural that the immediate reactions

include fear of the unknown, of not having the

minimum and necessary healthy conditions to face

the situation, and of not understanding why, in

critical and risky moments, contact with loved ones

is either impossible or reduced, while at the same

time, emotional and material security guarantees

are not provided, [79]. Amidst the fear and

uncertainty brought about by the COVID-19

pandemic in conditions of confinement, the neglect

of unsanitary living conditions that these

individuals endured also comes to light. Coupled

with the absence of a minimal support network for

these individuals, this only contributes to the

violation of constitutional rights and the

deterioration of the physical and mental health and

quality of life of those II, [79].

Based on the aforementioned fact, it could be

argued that such living conditions support the

emergence of symptomatology related to

depression, as well as an increasing trend or

worsening of this mental disorder if there is no

adequate professional follow-up, [80] or at least a

minimal mental health service that safeguards it

among II, as well as their overall quality of life in

different areas of development, [5].

All these emotional and cognitive effects

cannot be viewed as a separate element from what

has been discussed throughout the article regarding

the COVID-19 pandemic. This situation led to the

emergence of new health issues related not only to

physical health, but also to self-esteem, stress,

anxiety, depression, fear, and distress, as well as

cognitive factors such as memory problems,

attention, and abstraction. Both scenarios are

associated with neurobiological and psychosocial

correlates, and they exponentially configure

behavioral responses to new adaptation scenarios in

which there is a radical decrease in external

communication with support networks. Social

isolation or preventive confinement became the

means by which people deprived of liberty saw

their mental health deteriorate during COVID-19,

even when pre-existing difficulties regarding their

living conditions within prisons were already

present, [56].

All of this makes evident the gaps in the

functioning of these establishments in terms of

resocialization processes, due to adverse situations

such as the precariousness in which these spaces

are found, the lack of conditions for educational

spaces, overcrowding that can generate difficulties

in terms of cleanliness, climate, lack of possibilities

for medical assistance, which are understood as key

characteristics that hinder the purpose of

resocialization, [62]. From this point on, prevention

exercises on violence, abuse, and harassment and

promotion of human rights, mental health, and

quality of life within prison environments are

required, essential aspects for a dignified life and

integral health according to what is established in

the Colombian political constitution in sections of

fundamental rights, applying such

conceptualizations to a type of governmentally

forgotten population such as the (II) within the

Colombian territory.

In conclusion, the undertaken review of

literature encompassed an exhaustive exploration

of various authors' works, amalgamating a

compendium of research materials germane to the

subject matter. This assemblage of scholarly

resources delved into explicating the studied

phenomenon while furnishing historical

antecedents pertaining to the emotional, cognitive,

and physical ramifications consequent to the

management of pandemic events, [81]. This

approach engendered the cultivation of a more

comprehensive apprehension of the milieu,

multifarious perspectives, and preexisting

theoretical constructs germane to the pivotal

subject of this bibliographical review.

This analysis contributes to the understanding

that while the COVID-19 pandemic has produced

critical effects worldwide, the mental effects and

quality of life problems were already present

among the incarcerated population regardless of the

virus's arrival, attributed to changes in lifestyle and

the dissatisfaction with needs associated with a

prison sentence, [28], [29].

The mental effects on incarcerated individuals,

specifically in the Colombian context, stem from

extreme situations due to the conditions in which

the majority of this population finds itself, with a

current overcrowding rate of 24.95%, [82].

In conclusion, this current study, through a

systematic review, provides a diagnosis of

knowledge gaps in the area, emphasizing that it's a

correlational case linking a psychometric

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

92

Volume 20, 2023

perspective, a medical diagnosis, and a situation of

deprivation of liberty. This study clarifies the

scarcity of significant literature in Spanish

language databases, underscoring the importance of

researching in this area and within the context of

Latin America, which possesses socio-cultural

characteristics distinct from countries with more

available documentation.

References:

[1] M. Ramón, P. Abreu, J. Jesús Gómez

Tejeda, R. Alejandro, D. Guach, Clinical-

epidemiological characteristics of COVID-

19 (“Clinical-epidemiological

characteristics of COVID-19)”, Revista

Habanera de Ciencias Médicas, vol. 19, no.

2, pp. 1-15, 2020. [Online]. Available:

http://www.revhabanera.sld.cu/index.php/rh

ab/article/view/3254/2505

[2] C. G. Alvites-Huamaní, COVID-19:

pandemic that impacts moods (“COVID-19:

pandemia que impacta en los estados de

ánimo”) CienciAmérica, vol. 9, no. 2, pp.

354–362, Jul. 2020, doi:

10.33210/ca.v9i2.327.

[3] M. Crawford, “Ecological Systems Theory:

Exploring the Development of the

Theoretical Framework as Conceived by

Bronfenbrenner,” J Public Health Issues

Pract, vol. 4, no. 2, 2020, doi:

10.33790/jphip1100170.

[4] J. L. Ayuso-Mateos, D. Morillo, J. M. Haro,

B. Olaya, E. Lara, and M. Miret, “Changes

on depression and suicidal ideation under

severe lockdown restrictions during the first

wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain:

a longitudinal study in the general

population,” Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci, vol.

32, p. e55, Sep. 2023, doi:

10.1017/S2045796023000677.

[5] P. A. A. Bravo, O. A. Salinas, F. S. Torres,

“Mental Health, Coping and Social Skills

For People Deprived Of Liberty,” Human

Review. International Humanities Review /

Revista Internacional de Humanidades, vol.

11, no. Monografico, pp. 1–15, 2022, doi:

10.37467/revhuman.v11.4097.

[6] V. H. Piñeros-Báez, “Public health

responses for the management of covid-19

in detention centers. Literature review,”

Revista de Salud Publica, vol. 22, no. 2.

Universidad Nacional de Colombia, pp. 1–

8, Mar. 01, 2020. doi:

10.15446/rsap.v22n2.88704.

[7] B. S. Kennedy, R. P. Richeson, and A. J.

Houde, “Risk Factors for SARS-CoV-2 in a

Statewide Correctional System,” New

England Journal of Medicine, vol. 383, no.

25, pp. 2479–2480, Dec. 2020, doi:

10.1056/nejmc2029354.

[8] Fovet T., Lancelevée C., Eck M., Scouflaire

T., Bécache E., Dandelot D., Giravalli P.,

Guillard A., Horrach P., Lacambre M.,

Lefebvre T., Moncany A. H., Touitou D.,

David M., Thomas P.. Prisons, “Mental

health care in French correctional facilities

during the Covid-19 pandemic,” Encephale,

vol. 46, no. 3, pp. S60–S65, Jun. 2020, doi:

10.1016/j.encep.2020.05.002.

[9] World Health Organization, “Coronavirus,”

OMS, 2020. Available:

https://www.who.int/es/health-

topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1

[10] J. Young, S. Idaiani, O. Forster, and L.

Johnson, “The mental wellbeing of prison

staff in England during the COVID-19

pandemic: A cross-sectional study,”

Frontiers in Public Health, pp. 1.10, 2003,

doi: The mental wellbeing of prison staff in

England during the COVID-19 pandemic: A

cross-sectional study

[11] A. H. Maslow, “El hombre autorrealizado :

hacia una psicología del Ser”, Kairs, vol.

6, pp. 1-163, 1998.

[12] M. A. Max Neef, A. Elizalde, M.

Hopenhayn, Development on a human

scale: Concepts, applications and some

reflections (“Desarrollo a escala humana :

Conceptos, aplicaciones y algunas

reflexiones”), Icaria, pp. 8-148, 1994.

[13] C. Betancur-Pulgarín, D. Castrillón-

Betancur, G. Moreno-Gómez, Family

functionality in people deprived of liberty:

department of Risaralda, Colombia

(“Funcionalidad familiar en personas

privadas de libertad: departamento de

Risaralda, Colombia”), Revista Chilena de

Salud Publica, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 9–20,

2018.

[14] M. P. López, A. P. Ulloa, F. A. Escobar,

“Tuberculosis and prison overcrowding

from the perspective of social inequities in

health in Colombia, 2018,” Biomedica, vol.

42, no. 1, 2022, doi:

10.7705/biomedica.5894.

[15] E. Arrieta-Burgos, A. F. Duque-Pedroza, H.

Vélez Vélez, “The responsibility of the

Colombian government in the face of the

prison and penitentiary emergency due to

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

93

Volume 20, 2023

COVID-19,” Revista de la Facultad de

Derecho y Ciencias Politicas, vol. 51, no.

134, pp. 177–211, Jan. 2021, doi:

10.18566/rfdcp.v51n134.a08.

[16] Society of Latin American Criminology and

Center for Latin American Studies on

Insecurity and Violence, “The effects of

coronavirus in Latin American prisons,”

(Sociedad de Criminología Latinoamericana

y Centro de Estudios Latinoamericanos

sobre Inseguridad y Violencia, “Los efectos

del coronavirus en las cárceles de

Latinoamérica”) CELIV – UNTREF, pp. 4-

101, 2020. Available:

https://criminologialatam.wordpress.com/20

20/06/12/efectos-del-covid-19-carceles-de-

latino-america/

[17] L. , Jones, O. Tulloch, “Risks and

mitigation strategies for COVID-19 in

prisons,” 2020. [Online]. Available:

www.socialscienceinaction.org

[18] A. G. Montoya-Barthelemy, C. D. Lee, D.

R. Cundiff, E. B. Smith, “COVID-19 and

the Correctional Environment: The

American Prison as a Focal Point for Public

Health,” Am J Prev Med, vol. 58, no. 6, pp.

888–891, Jun. 2020, doi:

10.1016/j.amepre.2020.04.001.

[19] N. H. Jiménez, M. C. Rodríguez-Borrero, V.

E. Rodríguez, “The paradox of the rational

use of force in Colombian jails in times of

covid-19,” Estudios de Derecho, vol. 78, no.

171, pp. 273–296, 2021, doi:

10.17533/udea.esde.v78n171a11.

[20] A. Marco, R. A. Guerrero, and E. Turu,

“Control of SARS-CoV-2 in prisons,”

Semergen, vol. 47, no. 1. Ediciones Doyma,

S.L., pp. 47–55, Jan. 01, 2021. doi:

10.1016/j.semerg.2020.10.009.

[21] Meissner P., “Impact of COVID-19 ‘heavily

felt’ by prisoners globally:

disproportionately affects prisoners

worldwide,” UN expert, 2021. Available:

https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/03/10868

02#:~:text=Prison%20systems%20and%20t

he%20more,3%2C800%20fatalities%20in%

2047%20countries.

[22] Verdolini N., Amoretti S., Montejo L.,

García-Rizo C., Hogg B., Mezquida G.,

Rabelo-da-Ponte F., Vallespir C., Radua J.,

Martinez-Aran A., Pacchiarotti I., Rosa A.,

Bernardo M., Vieta E., Torrent C., Solé B.,

“Resilience and mental health during the

COVID-19 pandemic,” J Affect Disord, vol.

283, pp. 156–164, Mar. 2021, doi:

10.1016/j.jad.2021.01.055.

[23] D. Gattas, “Pandemic and Human Rights in

the Americas. A comprehensive approach to

the document issued by the Inter-American

Commission on Human Rights of the OAS

(“Pandemia y derechos Humanos en las

Américas. Una aproximación integral al

documento emitido por la Comisión

Interamericana de Derechos Humanos de la

OEA”). OEA, pp. 3-21, 2020. Available:

oas.org/es/cidh/decisiones/pdf/Resolucion-

1-20-es.pdf

[24] J. Zhao, X. Wang, H. Zhang, “The Role of

Perceived Legitimacy and Its Effect on

Prison Adaptation: A Longitudinal Study on

a Chinese Juvenile Prison,” Int J Offender

Ther Comp Criminol, vol. 64, no. 1, pp.

100–123, Jan. 2020, doi:

10.1177/0306624X19873097.

[25] J. I. Ruiz, P. E. Luz, S. R. Mesa, “Psicología

jurídica, evaluación y tratamiento de la

conducta antisocial,” Kimpres Ltda., pp. 6-

216, 2017. Available:

https://acc.org.co/publicaciones/Publicacion

es/psicologia-juridica-evaluacion-y-

tratamiento-de-la-conducta-antisocial/

[26] A. Soares Guimarães, E. MacLean Soruco,

M. A. Eguivar, “Prison, Human Rights and

Public Health in the context of the COVID-

2019 pandemic,” Revista Latinoamericana

de Desarrollo Econmico, vol. 34, 2020.

Available:

http://www.scielo.org.bo/scielo.php?pid=S2

074-

47062020000200003&script=sci_abstract&t

lng=en

[27] S. Becerra, G. Torres, J. I. Ruiz, “A

Longitudinal and Comparative Study of

Psychosocial Adaptation to Prison

Environments” (“Un Estudio Longitudinal y

Comparativo sobre la Adaptación

Psicosocial a Contextos Carcelarios

Longitudinal and Comparative Studie of

Psychosocial Adaptation to Prison

Environment”) Anuario de Psicología

Jurídica, vol. 18, pp. 61–72, 2008.

[28] M. Wright, S. Davison, E. Petch, “Making

visible the invisible: Aboriginal forensic

mental health,” The Lancet Psychiatry, vol.

4, no. 12. Elsevier Ltd, pp. 895–896, Dec.

01, 2017. doi: 10.1016/S2215-

0366(17)30234-1.

[29] C. H. Logan, “Well Kept: Comparing

Quality of Confinement in Private and

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

94

Volume 20, 2023

Public Prisons,” the journal of criminal law

& criminology, vol. 83, no. 3, pp. 577-602,

1992, doi: 0091- 4169/92/8303-0577

[30] Álvarez-Díaz, D. A., Ruiz-Moreno, H. A.,

Zapata-Bedoya, S., Franco-Muñoz, C.,

Laiton-Donato, K., Ferro, C., Sepulveda, M.

T. H., Pacheco-Montealegre, M., Walteros,

D. M., Carrero-Galindo, L. C., & Mercado-

Reyes, M., Clinical outcomes associated

with Mu variant infection during the third

epidemic peak of COVID-19 in Colombia

(“Clinical outcomes associated with Mu

variant infection during the third epidemic

peak of COVID-19 in Colombia”)

International Journal of Infectious

Diseases, vol. 125, pp. 149–152, Dec. 2022,

doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.10.028.

[31] J. Luis, A. Gonzáles, Research design and

methodology, consulting approaches

(Diseño Y Metodología de la investigacin,

enfoques consulting), vol. 1. 2021. [Online].

Available: www.tesisconjosearias.com

[32] O. Rangel, L. Marelis, A. Mejía, and W. S.

Toncel, State of the Art and Investigative

Practice, The University Experience From

The University Experience (Estado Del Arte

Y Práctica Investigativa Estado Del Arte Y

Práctica Investigativa Desde La

Experiencia Universitaria Desde La

Experiencia Universitaria), Gente Nueva,

pp. 11-139 2020. Available:

https://repositoryinst.uniguajira.edu.co/bitstr

eam/handle/uniguajira/734/143.%20Estado

%20del%20arte%20y%20practica%20inves

tigativa%20-web-.pdf?sequence=1

[33] A. M. Haindl, The black fish (La peste

negra). Stationery Office, vol. 35, pp. 56-69,

1998. Available:

https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?co

digo=3315095

[34] F. Osores-Plenge, C. Cabezas-Sánchez, J.

Gómez-Benavides, and C. Maguiña-Vargas,

“Human and avian Influenza: the threat of a

pandemic human Tema de Revisión,”, Acta

méd. Peruana, Vol. 23, no. 1, 2006.

Available:

http://www.scielo.org.pe/scielo.php?script=

sci_arttext&pid=S1728-

59172006000100008

[35] H. Li, M. Ge, C. Wang, “Spatio-temporal

evolution patterns of influenza incidence

and its nonlinear spatial correlation with

environmental pollutants in China,” BMC

Public Health, vol. 23, no. 1, p. 1685, Dec.

2023, doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-16646-z.

[36] J. A. Ramírez-Hernández, M. D. C.

Guzmán-Bracho, C. Viesca-Treviño, and J.

A. Díaz-Quiñonez, “From iset to indre. Ii.

sanitary and tropical diseases institute:

Maturity and consolidation, 1940-1964,”

Gac Med Mex, vol. 155, no. 4, pp. 360–366,

2019, doi: 10.24875/gmm.m19000303.

[37] M.N. Matrosovich, A.S. Gambaryan, S.

Teneberg, V.E. Piskarev, S.S. Yamnikova,

D.K. Lvov, J.S. Robertson, K.-A. Karlsson,

“Avian Influenza A Viruses Differ from

Human Viruses by Recognition of

Sialyloligosaccharides and Gangliosides and

by a Higher Conservation of the HA

Receptor-Binding Site,” ELSEVIER, VOL.

233, NO. 2, pp. 224-234, 1997. Doi:

https://doi.org/10.1006/viro.1997.8580

[38] A. H. Reid, T. G. Fanning, J. V Hultin, and

J. K. Taubenberger, “Origin and evolution

of the 1918 ‘“Spanish”’ influenza virus

hemagglutinin gene,” PubMed, vol. 96, no.

4, pp. 1651-1656, 1999. Doi:

10.1073/pnas.96.4.1651

[39] P. Gómez-Pintado, R. Moreno, A. Pérez-

Valenzuela, J.I. García- Falcés, M. García,

M.A. Martínez , E. Acín, K. Fernández de la

Hoz, “Description of the first three notified

outbreaks of influenza A (H1N1) in Spanish

prisons,” Esp Sanid Penit, vol. 12, pp. 19-26

2010. Available:

https://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/sanipe/v12n1/en_0

4_original3.pdf

[40] World Health Organization, “Quality of

Life Assessment Group.What quality of

life?.,” Foro Mundial de Ia Salud, vol. 17,

pp. 385-387, 1996. Available:

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10

665/55264/WHF_1996_17_n4_p385-

387_spa.pdf;sequence=1

[41] A. Liebling, H. Arnold, “Prisons and Their

Moral Performance: A Study of Values,

Quality and Prison Life.,” Oxford, UK:

Oxford University Press, vol. 17, no. 3, Sep.

2007, doi: 10.1177/1057567707306009.

[42] J. R. Menés, E. L. Pijoan, C. G. Ferrández,

“Perception of the quality of life in Prison.

The importance of a good organization and

decent treatment,” Rev Int Sociol, vol. 76,

no. 2, Apr. 2018, doi:

10.3989/ris.2018.76.2.16.159.

[43] G. Parra Gallego, J. A. Bello Ramírez,

Prisons of death: necropolitics and prison

system in Colombia (Cárceles de la muerte:

necropolítica y sistema carcelario en

Colombia), Universitas Humanística, vol.

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

95

Volume 20, 2023

82, no. 82, pp. 366-386, Jun. 2016, doi:

10.11144/javeriana.uh82.cmns.

[44] Political Constitution of the Republic of

Colombia, Political Constitution 1 of 1991

National Constituent Assembly

(“Constitución Política 1 de 1991 Asamblea

Nacional Constituyente”), art. 20 y 28,

Funcin pública, 1991. Available:

https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gest

ornormativo/norma.php?i=4125

[45] S. L. Mondragón Duarte, A. Guzmán

Quintero, A. G. Pérez Medina, Regulation

of penitentiary and prison treatment within

the framework of human rights

(“Regulación del tratamiento penitenciario y

carcelario en el marco de los derechos

humanos”) Revista Virtual Universidad

Catlica del Norte, no. 59, pp. 166–187,

Jan. 2020, doi: 10.35575/rvucn.n59a10.

[46] N. Velasco Cano, J. V. Llano, Fundamental

rights: a debate from the legal argument,

guarantee and communitarianism

(Fundamental rights: a debate from the legal

argument, guarantee and

communitarianism),” (Derechos

fundamentales : un debate desde la

argumentación jurídica el garantismo y el

comunitarismo (Derechos fundamentales :

un debate desde la argumentación jurídica el

garantismo y el comunitarismo)”), Novum

Jus, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 35–55, Jul. 2016, doi:

10.14718/novumjus.2016.10.2.2.

[47] A. I. Cerezo Domínguez, L. Arenas García,

“Penitentiary reality in Colombia: the need

for a new criminal policy,” Revista

Criminalidad, vol. 58, pp. 175–195, 2016.

[48] R. A. Correa-López, K. A. Rodríguez-Ruiz,

L. N. Aparicio-Mojica, J. C. Guerra-

Domínguez, “Psychosocial risk factors that

influence suicidal behavior in people

deprived of liberty in Colombia,”

Psicogente, vol. 25, no. 48, Jul. 2022, doi:

10.17081/psico.25.48.5141.

[49] J. García-Guerrero López, E. J. Vera-

Remartínez, Regulations against the covid-

19 pandemic in Spanish prisons

(“Normativa frente a la pandemia covid-19

en las prisiones españolas”) Cuad Bioet,

vol. 33, no. 107, pp. 89–98, Jan. 2022, doi:

10.30444/CB.115.

[50] R. Alfaro-Alfaro, M. J. González, E. Escaff-

Silva, C. Ledezma-Lafuente, “Factors

associated with recidivism in property

crimes, according to gender: a study from

the personal perspective of convicted

individuals in two prisons in Santiago de

Chile.,” Revista Criminalidad, vol. 55, pp.

79–98, 2013.

[51] P. Reforza, Aristotle: Politics and the State

(ARISTÓTELES: La Política Y El Estado),

laberinto, vol. 2, pp. 1-10, 2000. [Online].

Available: http://laberinto.uma.es

[52] Corte Constitucional De Colombia, Political

constitution of Colombia (“Constitucion

política de Colombia”), art. 20 y 28,

constitute, 1991. Available:

https://www.corteconstitucional.gov.co/engl

ish/Constitucio%CC%81n%20en%20Ingle

%CC%81s.pdf

[53] Franco-Paredes C, Jankousky K, Schultz J,

Bernfeld J, Cullen K, Quan NG, Shelley

Kon, Peter Hotez, Andrés F. Henao-

Martínez,Martin Krsak, “Covid-19 in jails

and prisons: A neglected infection in a

marginalized population,” PLoS Negl Trop

Dis, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 1–4, Jun. 2020, doi:

10.1371/journal.pntd.0008409.

[54] Quiceno, J. M., Vinaccia, S., Ibáñez, J.,

Álvarez, A., Jiménez, J., Pinzón, L., Serna,

A.M.., “Health-related quality of life,

resilience, and happiness in incarcerated

men,” Pensamiento Psicolgico, vol. 10, no.

2, pp. 23-33, 2012. Available:

https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/801/80125017

010.pdf

[55] V. Manuel and M. Solbes, “Estudio

socioeducativo de los jóvenes internados en

las prisiones andaluzas,” Revista Española

de Investigacin Criminolgica: REIC, vol.

3, no. 6, pp. 1-23, 2008. Available:

https://reic.criminologia.net/index.php/journ

al/article/view/38

[56] P. Ventosa Psiquiatra Córdoba, A reflection

on the imprisoned population in the face of

the COVID-19 pandemic (Una reflexión

sobre la población reclusa ante la pandemia

por COVID-19), Norte de salud mental, vol.

17, no. 63, pp, 109-110, 2020. [Online].

Available: www.thelancet.com/se

[57] Wang C, Pan R, Wan X, Tan Y, Xu L, Ho

CS, Ho RC, “Immediate psychological

responses and associated factors during the

initial stage of the 2019 coronavirus disease

(COVID-19) epidemic among the general

population in China,” Int. J. Environ Res

Public Health, vol. 17, no. 5, Mar. 2020,

doi: 10.3390/ijerph17051729.

[58] United Natios Office on Drugs and Crime,

“COVID-19 preparedness and responses in

prisions,” UNODC, pp. 2-5, 2020.

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

96

Volume 20, 2023

Available:

https://www.unodc.org/documents/justice-

and-prison-

reform/UNODC_Position_paper_COVID-

19_in_prisons.pdf

[59] D. F. Cruz Palomo, R. S. Jaramillo Marín,

The insufficiency of the measures adopted

for the population deprived of liberty in

Colombia during the coronavirus disease

pandemic, (La insuficiencia de las medidas

adoptadas para la población privada de la

libertad en Colombia con ocasión de la

pandemia de la enfermedad por

coronavirus), Opinin Jurídica, vol. 19, no.

40, pp. 151–161, Sep. 2020, doi:

10.22395/ojum.v19n40a7.

[60] V. H. Piñeros-Báez, “Covid-19 in prison.

An approximation to the epidemiological

trend in Colombia,” Revista de Salud

Publica, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 1–8, Jan. 2021,

doi: 10.15446/rsap.v23n1.92474.

[61] S. Amalakanti, K. V. R. Arepalli, J. P.

Jillella, “Cognitive assessment in

asymptomatic COVID-19 subjects,”

Virusdisease, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 146–149,

Mar. 2021, doi: 10.1007/s13337-021-

00663-w.

[62] A. Hincapié García, K. J. Henao Castrillón,

D. A. Cardona Montoya, Human rights and

the problem of prison in Colombia: A

genealogical reading perspective, (Los

derechos humanos y el problema de la

cárcel en Colombia: Una perspectiva de

lectura genealógica), CES Derecho, vol. 11,

no. 2, pp. 70–87, Dec. 2020, doi:

10.21615/cesder.11.2.5.

[63] I. Ahmad and F. A. Rathore, “Neurological

manifestations and complications of

COVID-19: A literature review,” Journal of

Clinical Neuroscience, vol. 77. Churchill

Livingstone, pp. 8–12, Jul. 01, 2020. doi:

10.1016/j.jocn.2020.05.017.

[64] A. A. Asadi-Pooya and L. Simani, “Central

nervous system manifestations of COVID-

19: A systematic review,” Journal of the

Neurological Sciences, vol. 413. Elsevier

B.V., Jun. 15, 2020. doi:

10.1016/j.jns.2020.116832.

[65] R. A. Armstrong, A. D. Kane, E.

Kursumovic, F. C. Oglesby, T. M. Cook,

“Mortality in patients admitted to intensive

care with COVID-19: an updated systematic

review and meta-analysis of observational

studies,” Anaesthesia, vol. 76, no. 4.

Blackwell Publishing Ltd, pp. 537–548,

Apr. 01, 2021. doi: 10.1111/anae.15425.

[66] Chen X, Laurent S, Onur OA, Kleineberg

NN, Fink GR, Schweitzer F, Warnke C., “A

systematic review of neurological

symptoms and complications of COVID-

19,” Journal of Neurology, vol. 268, no. 2.

Springer Science and Business Media

Deutschland GmbH, pp. 392–402, Feb. 01,

2021. doi: 10.1007/s00415-020-10067-3.

[67] L. C. Valenzuela-Molina, C. Arrambí-Díaz,

J. A. Morales-Barraza, J. C. Ramírez-

Campaña, Acute respiratory distress

syndrome in a patient with COVID-19,

(Síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo en

paciente con COVID-19),” Medicina

Crítica, vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 249–253, 2020,

doi: 10.35366/95881.

[68] Manriquez lopez, L., Saldaña García, C. N.,

Gómez Quiroz R. M., Enríquez González

K. E., Aranda Montiel, S., García Ramírez,

R., Martínez Flores, F. G. “Cognitive-

linguistic impairments in people with

COVID-19: a systematic review of the

empirical literature,” vol. 15, pp. 37–53,

2021, doi: 10.7714/CNPS/15.3.203.

[69] K.W. Miskowiak, S. Johnsen, S.M. Sattler,

S. Nielsen, K. Kunalan, J. Rungby, T.

Lapperre, C.M. Porsberg. “Cognitive

impairments four months after COVID-19

hospital discharge: Pattern, severity and

association with illness variables,”

European Neuropsychopharmacology, vol.

46, pp. 39–48, May 2021, doi:

10.1016/j.euroneuro.2021.03.019.

[70] M. F. López Corredor, “On Mental Health

and Mental Health Care for II in

Colombia.,” Universidad de los Andes, pp.

6-42, 2021. Available:

https://repositorio.uniandes.edu.co/bitstream

/handle/1992/53517/24495.pdf?sequence=1

&isAllowed=y

[71] M. M. Lopera Medina and J. Hernández

Pacheco, “Health Situation of the

Imprisoned Population in Colombia. A

Systematic Review of the Literature,”

Revista Gerencia y Políticas de Salud, pp.

1–26, 2020, doi:

10.11144/Javeriana.rgps19-38.sspp.

[72] E. de Miguel Calvo, Imprisonment of

women. The penitentiary punishment of

social exclusion and gender inequality,

(Encarcelamiento de mujeres. El castigo

penitenciario de la exclusión social y la

desigualdad de género), ZERBITZUAN, no.

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

97

Volume 20, 2023

56, pp. 75–86, Nov. 2014, doi:

10.5569/1134-7147.56.05.

[73] D. Goleman, Fernando. Mora Zahonero,

David González Raga, The practice of

emotional intelligence (La práctica de la

inteligencia emocional). Kairós, 1999.

[74] A. Damasio, C. Koch, J. L. Davis, “Large-

Scale Neuronal Theories of the Jbrain,”

1995.

[75] S. Zambrano, C. I. Nataly, L. Rojas, R.

Morales, “Responses about the coping and

the quality of life in people deprived of their

freedom,” Uniandes EPISTEME. Revista

digital de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovacin,

vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 231-243, 2019. Available:

https://revista.uniandes.edu.ec/ojs/index.php

/EPISTEME/article/view/1467

[76] F. Universitaria, K. Lorenz, C. Ruiz, J.

Ignacio, “Psychological symptoms,

emotional climate, culture and psychosocial

factors in the prison environment,” Rev

Latinoam Psicol, vol. 39, no. 3, pp. 547–

561, 2007, [Online]. Available:

http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=8053

9308

[77] B. Crespo-Facorro, “Mental health and the

SARS-CoV-2 pandemic,” Rev Psiquiatr

Salud Ment, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 55–56, Apr.

2020, doi: 10.1016/j.rpsm.2020.04.010.

[78] L. Castro García, C. Pérez Nájera, W.

Téllez Dacal, Effects of imprisonment on

the elderly inmate in the Provincial Prison

of Ciego de Ávila in Cuba, (Efectos de la

prisionalización en el adulto mayor recluso

en la Prisión Provincial de Ciego de Ávila

en Cuba), Revista de Derecho Uninorte, no.

57, pp. 166–185, Jul. 2022, doi:

10.14482/dere.57.709.001.

[79] Baccon W.C., Salci M.A., Carreira L., Gallo

A.M., Marques F.R.D.M., Paiano M.,

Baldissera V.D.A., Laranjeira C.,

“Meanings and Experiences of Prisoners

and Family Members Affected by the

COVID-19 Pandemic in a Brazilian Prison

Unit: A Grounded Theory Analysis,” Int J

Environ Res Public Health, vol. 20, no. 15,

Aug. 2023, doi: 10.3390/ijerph20156488.

[80] J. Palma, Prisoners and psychiatric

disorders: prison, a pathogenic place?,

(Détenus et troubles psychiatriques : la

prison, un lieu pathogène ?), Inf Psychiatr,

vol. 99, no. 2, pp. 97–102, Feb. 2023, doi:

10.1684/ipe.2023.2550.

[81] D. M. Morens, J. K. Taubenberger, G. K.

Folkers, A. S. Fauci, “An Historical

Antecedent of Modern Guidelines for

Community Pandemic Influenza

Mitigation,” Public Health Rep, vol. 124,

no. 1, pp. 22-25, 2009. [Online]. Doi:

10.1177/003335490912400105

[82] INPEC, Statistical dashboards - National

intramural population (Tableros

estadísticos- Poblacion intramural nacional),

Jaspersoft, 2020. Available:

http://190.25.112.18:8080/jasperserver-

pro/flow.html?_flowId=dashboardRuntimeF

low&dashboardResource=/public/DEV/das

hboards/Dash__Poblacion_Intramural&j_us

ername=inpec_user&j_password=inpec

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

98

Volume 20, 2023

Appendix

Table 4. Variables found according to the literary interests of the articles

N°

Year

Country

Author(s)

Target

population

QoL

CG

E

MH

C19

II

HR

1

2020

Pakistan

Ahmad I. & Rathore FA.

General

x

2

2020

Peru

Alzamora de los Godos L.

General

x

3

2019

Colombia

Arias, G. E.

Prisons

x

4

2020

Iran

Asadi-Pooya AA & Simani

L.

General

x

5

2021

Colombia

Báez, V. H. P.

Prisons

x

6

2018

Colombia

Bautista Parra Y. et al.

Prisons

x

7

2021

Colombia

Bergonzoli G., & Duque F.

General

x

8

2021

Colombia

Bonilla, M. I. et.al

Prisons

x

9

2021

Colombia

Bravo, O.A.

Prisons

x

10

2021

Spain

Ramírez, F. B. et.al

General

x

11

2020

England

Callaway E. & Cyranoski D.

General

x

12

2019

Colombia

Forero Mesa D.

Prisons

x

13

2021

Peru

Gaciot Delgado, M.G.A.

Prisons

x

14

2022

Spain

García Guerrero J. & Vera

Remartínez E.

Prisons

x

15

2022

Cuba

García, L. C. et.al

Prisons

x

16

2020

Colombia

Iturralde, M. et.al

Prisons

x

17

2020

Ecuador

Lalama Aguirre J., & Vinicio

Castro A.

Prisons

x

18

2020

Colombia

Londoño V., & Rodríguez J.

Prisons

x

19

2020

Colombia

López Cantero, E. J.

General

x

20

2021

Colombia

López Corredor, M. F.

Prisons

x

21

2021

Cuba

Lorigados Pedre L., & Pavón

Fuentes N.

General

x

22

2020

China

Lu R. et.al

General

x

23

2021

Chile

Manríquez López L., et al.

General

x

24

2020

China

Mao L. et.al

General

x

25

2021

Spain

Marco, A. et.al

Prisons

x

26

2021

Japan

Meissner P.

Prisons

x

27

2018

Spain

Menés, J. R. et.al

Prisons

x

28

2020

Spain

Monsalve, M.H.

Prisons

x

29

2022

Colombia

Montaño Rozo M. X. &

Martínez Durán N.

Prisons

x

30

2019

Mexico

Reyes, J. A. G.

Prisons

x

31

2020

Ecuador

Rodas Castillo, M.

Prisons

x

32

2019

Spain

Rodríguez, M.

Prisons

x

33

2019

Colombia

Ruiz D. et.al

Prisons

x

34

2020

Ecuador

Shugulí Zambrano, C. N.

et.al

Prisons

x

35

2019

Ecuador

Taipe Culqui M. A.

Prisons

x

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

99

Volume 20, 2023

36

2020

Spain

Tapia Antolín, V.

Prisons

x

37

2022

Ecuador

Valle Vega E. D.

Prisons

x

38

2020

Spain

Ventosa P.

Prisons

x

39

2020

Spain

Yagüe, C.

Prisons

x

40

2021

Peru

Yañez Escalante, T. M., &

Tupa Belizario, R. S.

General

x

Total

6

7

5

6

25

28

1

Authors' own elaboration

* Quality of Life (QoL), Cognition (CG), Emotionality (E), Mental Health (MH), Covid-19 (C19),

Incarcerated Individuals (II), and Human Rights (HR)

Contribution of Individual Authors to the

Creation of a Scientific Article (Ghostwriting

Policy)

- Ana María Lozano Hurtado contributed to the

study design, organization, data analysis, writing

and revision of the manuscript.

- Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo, Isabela Gutierrez

Rivera contributed in the organization of the

database and statistical analysis.

- Valeria Cárdenas Parra, Cristian David Gaviria

Giraldo, contributed in the writing of manuscript

sessions.

- Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta contributed in

writing manuscript sessions.

The authors contributed equally in the search of the

articles to be analyzed, revision of this article, from

the style to the deepening of the content.

Sources of Funding for Research Presented in a

Scientific Article or Scientific Article Itself

The article was financed by the higher education

institution Unidad Central del Valle del Cauca, by

means of an internal call of the project called

“Neuropsychological characteristics in inmates of

the Penitentiary and Prison Institute of the

Municipality of Tuluá with SARS-Cov-2; and their

relationship with the months of evolution” with

number PI-1300-50.2-2021-18

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

(Attribution 4.0 International, CC BY 4.0)

This article is published under the terms of the

Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.e

n_US

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE

DOI: 10.37394/23208.2023.20.9

Ana María Lozano Hurtado, Gustavo Adolfo Gutiérrez Puerta,

Isabela Gutiérrez Rivera, Cristian David Gaviria Giraldo,

Valeria Cárdenas Parra

E-ISSN: 2224-2902

100

Volume 20, 2023