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Page 1 of 2 The Laws of the Australian Government recognise that a person's capacity to access health services is not compromised by reason of imprisonment and that all people have a basic right to health. This recognition is evidenced in Australia's international treaty obligations.
There is little doubt that prisoners are amongst the unhealthiest people in Australia. The New South Wales Corrections Health Service (CHS) estimates that about 80% of prisoners have been imprisoned for offences related to legal or illegal drug use or committed whilst under their influence. 14% of prisoners are indigenous, who although only despite constitute less than 2% of Australia's population are internationally recognised as living in Third World conditions. 18% of prisoners are of non-English speaking background.
Blood borne communicable diseases A 1997 study of New South Wales prison entrants reveals nearly 40% enter with Hepatitis C. HIV rates have consistently been higher in the prison system than the general community, with current rates at about 10 times higher. This despite a 1996 study of 14 recently released HIV positive prisoners revealing seven contracted HIV in the prison system, with 5 of these seroconversions genetically sourced to one prisoner.
However, the prison system refuses to implement needle exchange programs, despite their successful operation in Switzerland and Germany, and introduce other schemes such as allowing prisoners access to Narcotics Anonymous and expand methadone program access, particularly to short sentence prisoners.
Through successful lobbying, condoms will be distributed through the NSW prison system, following the lead of 19 overseas jurisdictions and the Australian Capital Territory, through 1997.
Justice Action provided support to Richard Lynott, who died of AIDS related illnesses, in his suing of the NSW Government for breach of duty of care in 1996. Justice Action ran a high profile national media campaign on these issues, with all mainstream media carrying stories. Justice Action is currently seeking to obtain equal access to HIV positive prisoners to trials of new HIV treatments.
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Blood borne communicable diseases
A 1997 study of New South Wales prison entrants reveals nearly 40% enter with Hepatitis C. HIV rates have consistently been higher in the prison system than the general community, with current rates at about 10 times higher. This despite a 1996 study of 14 recently released HIV positive prisoners revealing seven contracted HIV in the prison system, with 5 of these seroconversions genetically sourced to one prisoner. However, the prison system refuses to implement needle exchange programs, despite their successful operation in Switzerland and Germany, and introduce other schemes such as allowing prisoners access to Narcotics Anonymous and expand methadone program access, particularly to short sentenced prisoners.
Through successful lobbying, condoms will be distributed through the NSW prison system, following the lead of 19 overseas jurisdictions and the Australian Capital Territory, through 1997.
Justice Action provided support to Richard Lynott, who died of AIDS related illnesses, in his suing of the NSW Government for breach of duty of care in 1996. Justice Action ran a high profile national media campaign on these issues, with all mainstream media carrying stories. Justice Action is currently seeking to obtain equal access to HIV positive prisoners to trials of new HIV treatments.
Womens' Health
Justice Action's program of volunteers assisting women prisoners with their cases and custodial complaints at Mulawa prison has ensured that the particular needs of women prisoners are reflected in our policy positions. Justice Action is represented on the Women's Advisory Committee in CHS to ensure that women's health needs are properly addressed.
Drugs
Justice Action raises concerns about improper medication and treatments when these arise.
Justice Action also supports calls for the use of non-custodial methods of punishment for drug users and the decriminalisation of drugs. In conjunction with the Victorian based Peoples' Justice Alliance, Justice Action successfully had the International Conference on Penal Abolition (1997) resolve that illegal drugs should be decriminalised.
Further, the national conference made similar resolutions. In Justice Action's submissions to the Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police Service, it was argued that drug law reform would remove the incentive to the endemic police corruption that exists and should be recommended. Further, Justice Action endorsed submissions on this issue by other organisations to the Royal Commission.
Resources
PRISONS AND BLOOD BORNE COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
The Community Policy 1995 (1997 revised update forthcoming)
THE CASE FOR NEEDLE AND SYRINGE EXCHANGE IN THE PRISONS
by George Selvanera for HIV/AIDS Legal Link, Vol. 7, No 4
PRINCESS DIANA VISITS RICHARD LYNOTT
During his lawsuit against the NSW government's Failure of Duty of Care
KM1 Trial campaign
Please visit the Justice Action medical links index for additional resources.
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