Thirteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

The prison population of Australia is at a “historic high.” There are strong indications that this number will continue to climb. The health of those in prison is often poor for a variety of reasons. This project applies “ways of seeing” from the humanities and social sciences to this conundrum: what were the historical drivers for prison health care in NSW. Being armed with historical knowledge, we argue, can contribute to building a better model for future health care, and ultimately a way to improve the health of the incarcerated. Illuminating how the delivery of health care in prisons is a result of historical forces as much as of medical science will enable a better appreciation of current practice and future needs. To do so, the project is identifying the key events, people, and philosophies which have contributed to the development of prisons health services in NSW. Working in collaboration with Justice Health NSW, the main provider of prison medical services, the project offers a ground-breaking perspective of this issue. The knowledge gained through this project can transform communities by providing information for health service planners in the implementation of a sustainable and appropriate model of health care for people in custody in NSW.