Poor inmate health 'costing society'

Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

The poor health of prisoners in New Zealand, including untreated addictions and disorders, drives a cycle of repeat offending that has a rising cost on the society, an independent report says.

The National Health Committee has made strong recommendations to Health Minister Tony Ryall to implement a prevention and care model for prisoners and move responsibility for inmates' health from the Department of Corrections to the Ministry of Health.

The committee's report, Health in Justice, has been described by prison reform groups as a damning censure of the current system that leaves prisoners in poor health, which has a direct link to recidivism.

The report cited a study that found 89 per cent of prisoners had a lifetime prevalence of substance abuse; 52 per cent had lifetime psychotic, mood or anxiety disorders; 60 per cent had mild to severe personality disorders.

Most prisoners, especially the most violent repeat offenders, came from homes of poverty and violence.

The current system prioritised managing behaviour over addressing health needs, but overseas experience showed it was possible to do the latter without compromising public safety.

Such a change would have a positive flow-on effect for the whole community and reduce offending rates, the report said.

Committee chairwoman Pauline Barnett said prisoners in poor health had an adverse impact on their children and put more strain on the health system and growing prison populations.

The committee recommended:

Transferring responsibility for inmates' health care to the health sector.

Improving quality and planning, and strengthening relationships among responsible agencies.

Strengthening identification, assessment and treatment of health conditions, focusing on mental health, oral health and drug and alcohol addictions.

Ensuring seamless continuity of care.

Supporting maintenance of family relationships and responsibilities for prisoners.

Assisting organisations that provide support to released prisoners and their families.

Ms Barnett said the health system was best placed to provide the health care that prisoners needed.

"The health, economic, and social costs of not investing in health services for prisoners are high. As a reflection of a just society, and to reduce reoffending, we must make every effort to minimise the adverse health consequences of imprisonment.

"The benefits will accrue to our whole society and to future generations but so too will the costs if we fail to take action."

Mr Ryall and Corrections Minister Judith Collins said they would ask their departments for formal advice on the report.