What is a ‘healthy prison’?
A ‘healthy prison’ is one which is safe, secure, reforming and health promoting, and grounded in the concept of decency and respect for human rights.
Health promoting prisons are based on the premise that prisons can make a major contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of some of the most disadvantaged and marginalised people in our society.
About the Framework
The proposed Framework advocates a whole of system approach and recognises that many risk factors are inter-related and can best be tackled through comprehensive, integrated programs.
It also proposes that the quantity and quality of service should be at least equivalent to services offered in the broader community. Learning from examples of international best practice and stakeholder insights, there are three guiding principles which underpin and inform the Healthy Prisons Framework for NSW;
- Policies, partnerships, and programs between lead agencies to promote health and wellbeing.
- Environments that actively support and improve the health of inmates and staff.
- Health promotion and health literacy interventions which address the health needs of custodial populations, particularly Aboriginal people in custody.
Focus areas
The consultation process identified key areas for future intervention, program development and support which will build on the existing health promotion work across NSW prisons. The initial focus areas for action include the following.
Food systems and choices in prison: healthy food systems that support healthier food choices.
Physical activity: increasing access, options and incentives for physical activity in and out of cell.
Health literacy: improve health literacy and developing health information (digital and non-digital) resources that are tailored to the custodial setting.
Next steps
The NSW Healthy Prisons Framework will act as a platform for action, to further engage stakeholders and guide future strategies between partnering agencies that have a crucial role in returning healthier patients and inmates to their communities.
Read the complete Framework:
File
NSW Healthy Prisons Framework for Action (PDF 899.84KB).