Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network (Justice Health NSW) is pioneering a world-first research project to improve the health outcomes of people in NSW prisons.
In partnership with the Centre for Global Health and Equity at Swinburne University of Technology, the project aims to improve access to and use of healthcare services of people in custody.
This follows the recent Justice Health NSW Health Literacy Study that found that those in prison had lower health literacy compared to the general population. Most notably, nearly two thirds (64%) of participants had many difficulties that inhibit equitable access and understanding of health information and services that would affect many peoples’ outcomes.
Justice Health NSW Research and Operations Manager, Dr Julia Bowman, said returning people to the community healthier than when they entered custody is paramount in a patient-centred approach to healthcare.
“It is well known that people in prison have poorer health outcomes and our goal is to ensure each and every one of our patients returns to their communities healthier, to reduce the likelihood of re-offending and future incarceration,” Dr Bowman said.
“This new project aims to improve the understanding, access and motivation of patients to engage with the healthcare system and manage their health needs.”
“The new study is extremely innovative as we co-design, evidence-based programs with people in prison and staff. The co-design includes the implementation and evaluation of these programs in NSW prisons to enhance health outcomes for those in custody.”
“Justice Health NSW is committed to improving the health outcomes of people in contact with the criminal justice system, and we are proud to be partnering with health literacy world-leaders at the Centre for Global Health and Equity, on this important research project.”
Director at the Centre for Global Health and Equity, Professor Richard Osborne, said health literacy is key to improving the health of people experiencing marginalisation.
“By listening directly to the patients and to how they have previously solved their own health problems, we can inform, guide and develop new ways, or scale-up existing methods, to improve overall health and wellbeing,” Professor Osborne said.
“The new study is in line with large national and European initiatives and will be a guiding light for many countries seeking to reducing the physical and mental burden of people in prison and the economic burden on society. “
The Health Literacy in Prisons Project is funded by Justice Health NSW and is expected to take three years to complete.
