Why Should We Care About The Health Of Prisoners?
Why should we care about the health and well being of prisoners?
This report attempts to answer the question, why should we care about the health of prisoners? It looks into the rise of the prison population and the development of the private sector as correctional providers, briefly reviewing if private prisons are an improvement to the existing facilities. It also examines the different health issues imprisonment has on inmates and that of their supporters.
Mr Michael Brown, a prison inmate agreed to be interviewed, due to time restraints, he responded to the questions by sending a written report. Michael's account contained details relating to his personal health and the health services available in prison. His mother Mrs Brown also kindly agreed to be interviewed; this interview was conducted at her home. She speaks about problems she faces on the outside. They each give a firsthand account of their lives and that of their families. Recommendations and strategies are suggested to make improvements are also included.
The prison population growth
Australia's prison population is rapidly growing. Incarceration now affects more people, either directly or indirectly than it ever has done before. Between the years 1990 and 2000 the number of Australian prisoners increased by 42%. This growth is predicted to continue over the next ten years, with estimates of a further 50% increase, (ABS, 2006). Australia has become a much less tolerant society, with the focus more on punishment and less on rehabilitation, (Matthews, 2006). This must be considered correct, as the upward trend in prison numbers continues.
The prison system adopts a biomedical approach, insinuating the reason for incarceration is entirely the fault of the individual, (Germov, 2002). Due to the fact the current justice system is not working, the Government needs to look at the problem from a social model perspective, to see...
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