Resources for Secure Environments
Providing healthcare in secure environments such as prisons, secure hospitals, young offender institutions and immigration removal centres presents unique challenges for GPs and primary care professional.
International
- European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT): The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) was set up under the Council of Europe’s “European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment” in 1989. The function of the CPT is to protect people deprived of their liberty against torture and other forms of ill-treatment. The CPT visits places of detention including prisons, YOIs, secure training centres, IRCs, police stations and psychiatric hospitals to assess the treatment of people held there. After each visit, a detailed report is provided by the CPT to the State in which the place of detention is located, with findings and recommendations. A response to any issues raised is required.
- United Nations Humans Rights Office of the High Commissioner: The Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (“SPT”) - The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) has a mandate to promote and protect all human rights for all people. The Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (“SPT”) is a treaty body authorised to proactively prevent torture and ill treatment through visiting places of detention and advising and providing assistance on the establishment of National Preventive Mechanisms.
- World Health Organisation (Europe) Prisons: Publications on prison health are available through both the WHO international and the WHO Europe web pages.
- WHO Health in Prisons Programme (HIPP): HIPP was set up in 1995. It promotes health in prison settings by providing technical advice to member states on communicable diseases, illicit drug use, mental health and prison health system development. It aims to: encourage integrated working between prison health, public health and NGOs; promote adherence to recognised international codes of human rights and medical ethics; reduce exposure to communicable diseases in prisons; promote equivalence of healthcare with the wider community; reduce reoffending by contributing to drug and mental health rehabilitation.
- Partnership for Health in the Criminal Justice System: The Partnership for Health in the Criminal Justice System website provides prison health-related resources supplied by WHO/Europe and partner organizations. The platform also facilitates opportunities for sharing good practice and networking.
- The Worldwide Prison Health Research and Engagement Network (WEPHREN) is a global, open access collaborative forum for people interested in prison health. It brings together key stakeholders from across professions, disciplines and nations and supports professional development, equitable collaborative multi-centre research and health service growth initiatives. Through doing so, it aims to improve the health of people in prison.