Work Programme - Prisoner Health

Work Programme

Prisoner Health

The National Health Committee has recently (2007) begun a project on the health of New Zealand prisoners and their families.

In spite of a falling crime rate, New Zealand is imprisoning 23 percent more people now than in 1999. In 2007 New Zealand now has the third highest rate of imprisonment in the OECD.

There are a number of serious health concerns related to this rapidly growing population. International and national evidence shows that the health status of prisoners is poorer overall than that of the general population. Vulnerable groups such as Maori, Pacific people, people with low income and low educational achievement are disproportionately represented among the prison population. There is also rapid growth in the numbers of women and older inmates, both groups with higher health needs. International research has found that sexual, emotional and physical abuse, abandonment and suicide attempts by significant others are all common life experiences of those in prison. A growing body of evidence suggests that the children and partners of prison inmates are adversely affected by their situation.

Though prisoners are entitled by law to an equivalent level and standard of health care as the general population, there are many challenges associated with health care delivery in prisons. For instance, prisoners have a far higher prevalence of substance or alcohol abuse, mental illness, and head injury than the general population. This means that their health needs are both high and complex, but prevention, diagnosis and health care must take place within a highly structured custodial environment. Prisoners are also transferred from institution to institution when required. Continuity of care, both before and after release from prison is often very hard to ensure.

At the same time, prison is often seen by public health experts as an opportunity to address the needs of people in some of the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups in the population. Improving the health of these groups would help to reduce health inequalities between ethnic and socioeconomic populations.

This project aims to outline ways to improve the health of people in New Zealand correctional facilities and other forms of custody, and the health of their families. The project focuses in particular on primary care and continuity of care pre- and post-release. The interaction between disproportionate Maori and Pacific incarceration and poor health is an area of particular concern.

Questions
The work of the NHC benefits from a wide range of perspectives. We would value your response to two questions about the health of prisoners and their families. You can write as much or as little as you like. Please send to Nhc_Info@nhc.govt.nz. Although you may not receive a direct response, you can be assured that your contribution will be considered carefully to help inform the project.

1) What effects do you think prison has on the health of inmates? On their families?

2) What could be done to improve the health of prisoners? What kinds of changes would have to be made in order to make this possible?

Please tell us something about yourself. Have you been in prison or closely connected with someone who has? Are you a health provider or prison official? Your response will remain anonymous to the public but please include your contact details so that we can follow up with you if required.

Thank you for contributing to this work

Page last updated: 15 August 2008