The 2019 Conference will focus on justice health being about more than just prisons. About 60% of adults in the corrective services system, and more than 80% of those in youth justice are supervised in the community, and almost all of those held in prison or detention are released back into the community. The health issues of people involved in the criminal justice system therefore are those of the community. With higher rates of mental illness, behavioural problems, disability, risky alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, illicit drug use, chronic disease and communicable disease than people in the general community, this is a group with significant and complex health needs. Public health is about preventing ill-health through addressing underlying issues and inequities which impact on people’s health. The World Health Organization has promoted, and PHAA endorses, the concept that “Prisoner Health is Public Health”.
Learn more about Justice Health Conference 2109.
