Shivani Kaushik, a graduate student in the Colorado State University School of Social Work, was recognized with the Excellence in Research and Scholarship award at CSU’s Graduate Student Showcase, one of five awards given by the College of Health and Human Sciences, which she has received three years in a row. Kaushik’s research focuses on end-of-life care policies in the U.S. correctional system.
What inspired you to conduct this research?
My inspiration to conduct this study is to continually shed light on the health and racial disparities that exist in the U.S. correctional system. With an aging population prevailing in an overcrowded environment, compassionate release remains a viable option to alleviate this crisis; however, it is an impractical policy with far too many barriers attached to it. Despite this policy presenting an allure of empathy, it is incredibly perplexing in its execution, thus making it an uncompassionate law.
What impact do you hope this research will have?
My research is dedicated to exploring end-of-life care interventions in U.S. corrections and this study is an integral piece to this large, complex puzzle. I am pleased to share that this study was published by the International Journal of Prisoner Health and is the first systematic review of U.S. compassionate release policies.
My hope is that this work reaches correctional healthcare advocates, such as myself, so we all can continue to climb this steep hill together in reforming incredibly unjust policies impacting incarcerated populations.
What does receiving this award mean to you?
This is the third year in a row that I have received this award, so it is extremely meaningful to be recognized by CSU and the Graduate School for my work, especially since it is such a vital and under-researched area. Given this topic does not receive the recognition it deserves in the broader world of research, to receive kudos from my peers is beyond heart-warming and encourages me to keep fighting this good fight.
The School of Social Work is a part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
