NCJ Number
151845
Date Published
1993
Length
103 pages
Annotation
This report presents a comparative study of international prison health care, together with discussions of minimum health care standards for inmates and examples for easy implementation of minimum standards to assist jurisdictions establish needed programs and procedures.
Abstract
Information about existing inmate health services came from an October 1991 survey in which 599 surveys were sent to representatives of 233 countries. Responses came from 41 countries in all parts of the world. Findings revealed that medications are readily available in 39 countries and 37 prison systems; basic health and nutrition is a significant problem in eight countries and 15 prison systems. A majority of prison systems conduct medical and psychiatric screening at intake. Most test for communicable diseases; 19 systems use prison hospitals or community hospitals to treat inmates with communicable diseases. Minimum prison health care standards should include the establishment of a health administrator, training for health care and correctional personnel, written policies and procedures regarding drugs, screening and health assessment, access to treatment, special needs treatment, complete medical records, and mechanisms to handle medicolegal issues. Forms, sample protocols related to health issues, list of organizations, and chart presenting results for each country