The report outlines the nature and extent of prisoners' poor health, the contribution community health status makes to poor prisoner health and to imprisonment, the negative effects of imprisonment on health, and discusses reintegration and reoffending.
Key Results
Recommendations are made to:
- Consider the case for transferring responsibility for prisoner primary health care from the Department of Corrections to the health sector.
- Adhere to six principles for health and disability planning and delivery to prisoners improve planning.
- Strengthen relationships among responsible agencies improve the quality of primary health care in prisons.
- Strengthen identification, assessment and treatment of health conditions and disabilities, with a focus on mental health, alcohol and other drug dependence, and oral health.
- Ensure seamless continuity of care support maintenance of family relationships and responsibilities for prisoners.
- Assist organisations that provide support to released prisoners and their families and whānau.