Emerging Issues in Prison Health – Preface

Prisons worldwide tend to be overcrowded, stressful, hostile, and regularly violent places. Ethnic and social minorities and members of the most disadvantaged groups in society are over-represented in the prison population. Communicable diseases, licit and illicit drug abuse, mental health problems, and other health risks are more prevalent in prisons than in the general community. Most prisoners remain in prison for short periods and diseases are spread through the ‘revolving prison doors’ both within the prison and also within the communities to which prisoners return after imprisonment. Against this background, health problems become a major threat not only for the prison administration but also for public health in general. These health problems are not confined to certain states or regions, but are found globally. Global efforts are therefore necessary to recognise and address the health-care issues of prisoners, to establish best practice, and to learn about approaches to these challenges from around the world..