News

People in prisons should not be left behind amid COVID-19 vaccination 26-04-2021

People living and working in prisons should not be neglected as national programmes of COVID-19 vaccination roll out across the WHO European Region and globally. That is the main message of a recent article published by WHO/Europe in the Lancet journal.

Testing, treatment and comprehensive prevention – how a nurse-led program is dealing with hepatitis in prisons in Luxembourg 28-07-2020

A prison sentence may not feel like a stroke of luck, but it can mark an opportunity for testing vulnerable populations and providing care to detainees to prevent potentially life-threatening diseases.

Prison nurse Deanna Mezen guarantees continuity of care for detainees 24-07-2020

"My priority is to ensure continuity of care for our patients. This means meeting their health needs by ensuring they receive the care they need in a timely manner, and working alongside colleagues from different disciplines,” explains nurse Deanna Mezen, who works in Staffordshire, at one of the largest prisons in the United Kingdom.

Experience of health professionals, police staff and prisoners in Italy informs WHO COVID-19 guidelines for prisons 28-05-2020

The experience of doctors in Italy has contributed to the preparation of WHO’s guidance on preparedness, prevention and control of COVID-19 in prisons and other places of detention. Health professionals in Italy were among the first in Europe to face the threat of COVID-19. From the first days of the epidemic, there were concerns about prisons, as infection outbreaks in such closed settings can have an amplifying effect on the spread of the virus throughout the country.

During COVID-19 pandemic, violence remains preventable, not inevitable 07-05-2020

Statement to the press by Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe: WHO is deeply troubled by the reports from many countries of increase in interpersonal violence – including violence against women, men and children – as a result of the COVID-19 situation.

WHO launches checklist to support prison administrators and policy-makers for rapid and effective response to COVID-19 07-05-2020

To support Member States in effective preparedness, prevention and control of COVID-19 in prisons and other places of detention, WHO has developed a checklist to help policy-makers and prison administrators evaluate their level of preparedness for the disease.

Preventing COVID-19 outbreak in prisons: a challenging but essential task for authorities 23-03-2020

Today, WHO/Europe has published interim guidance on how to deal with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in prisons and other places of detention, entitled “Preparedness, prevention and control of COVID-19 in prisons and other places of detention”.

New WHO report: Ignoring the health of people in prisons now comes at a high cost for society later 21-11-2019

A new report from WHO is calling for improved health monitoring and surveillance systems in prisons across the European Region. It warns that as people in prison continue to suffer disproportionately from undiagnosed and untreated health conditions, they will add to the public health burden in the outside community after their release.

New report provides snapshot of prison health systems across Europe 26-03-2019

A new WHO report on health in prisons collates information from 38 European countries to provide a snapshot of prison health systems and services across the WHO European Region.

Improved access to health services to eliminate hepatitis C in Portuguese prisons 02-08-2018

Portugal has introduced a new model of care for prison inmates, relocating health professionals from hospitals to the prisons themselves in order to provide critical on-site health care to viral hepatitis and HIV patients, and allowing access to care for inmates who were previously unable to visit hospitals due to complex security procedures.

Preventing the spread of tuberculosis in prisons – sharing lessons from Azerbaijan 17-07-2018

Despite valuable progress, tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health problem in prisons. Within the WHO European Region, reported TB cases among prisoners are up to 30 times higher than in the general population; people in prisons are more likely to die from TB and less likely to be cured of the disease.

Agenda for Sustainable Development in focus during WHO Director-General’s first official visit to Azerbaijan 13-07-2018

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made his first official visit to Baku, Azerbaijan, on 4–6 July 2018. His programme included participation in the National Conference on Health Reforms in the Context of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Implementation.

WHO international meeting on prisons and health: recognizing the role of prisons in addressing health inequalities 27-03-2018

Following the WHO international meeting on prisons and health, and in collaboration with the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Public Health England and the United Kingdom Collaborating Centre for the WHO Health in Prisons Programme (HIPP), WHO released key conclusions and a call to action to recognize prisons as important settings in which to address health inequalities. The conclusions also set out priorities for reducing drug use and its associated harms in prison.

New article on emerging challenges in prison health 21-02-2018

More than 10 million people are imprisoned worldwide. These individuals experience a higher burden of communicable and noncommunicable disease and mental health and substance misuse problems than the general population and often come from marginalized and underserved groups in the community. Prisons offer an important setting for tackling health problems in a way that can deliver benefits to the individual and to the community. A new article authored by the United Kingdom Collaborating Centre for the WHO Health in Prisons Programme (HIPP) focuses specifically on emerging health issues for prisons across the world.

WHO/Europe launches new database for prison health 08-01-2018

WHO/Europe launched a new database that includes a wide range of indicators relevant to the health of people incarcerated in the WHO European Region.

NDPHS e-newsletter addresses prison health 15-11-2017

The most recent issue of the Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Well-being (NDPHS) e-newsletter focuses on prison health in the Northern Dimension area and includes an interview with Dr Lars Møller, former Programme Manager of the WHO Health in Prisons Programme (HIPP). The e-newsletter also features an article by the NDPHS Prison Health Expert Group about the importance of using the time people spend in state detention centres to improve their health status. This aim is shared by the WHO HIPP, which works to encourage all prison health services to reach standards equivalent to those in the wider community.

New publication shows key role of WEPHREN in building capacity of health professionals 02-10-2017

A new publication in the Public Health Panorama series documents the importance of the Worldwide Prison Health Research and Engagement Network (WEPHREN) in supporting the professional development of health-care staff in prisons, thereby building capacity in prison health worldwide.

Launch of Worldwide Prison Health Research and Engagement Network platform 14-07-2017

WHO/Europe, in partnership with Public Health England and the University of Oxford, is launching an international web platform on The Global Health Network called the Worldwide Prison Health Research and Engagement Network (WEPHREN).

Data monitoring and prison health systems in Ukraine on Steering Group agenda 23-06-2017

Enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health is a fundamental human right. Prisoners should have the same standard of medical care as people living in the community. These principles form the basis for WHO/Europe and its partners’ commitment to improving health in prisons. The healthy prison concept reinforces the idea that the health and well-being of prisoners is not the sole responsibility of those providing health care in a prison, but is also dependent upon the regime and ethos of each establishment.

New French health strategy for people in the criminal justice system published 19-05-2017

The new French health strategy for people in the criminal justice system was published in April 2017, setting out a framework for prison health involving intersectoral collaboration between the health and justice systems, under the leadership of the Ministry of Health.

Improving prison health in Trentino (Italy) 04-05-2017

The United Nations Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners state that “prisoners shall have access to the health services available in the country without discrimination on the grounds of their legal situation”. In Italy this principle has been implemented by means of a national law (the Decreto del Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri of 1 April 2008) that assigns responsibility for prisoners’ health directly to the National Health Service (removing it from the Ministry of Justice), thereby establishing the equal treatment of citizens within and outside of prison walls.

Stress-testing approach to assessing outcomes of prison inreach mental health services 04-04-2017

In 2006, Ireland introduced the Prison Inreach and Court Liaison Service (PICLS) with the aim of identifying prisoners with serious mental illness and diverting them to appropriate mental health services as soon as possible.

Prison health in the United Kingdom – addressing inequalities to improve health and reduce offending 24-01-2017

The mortality rate among people in contact with the criminal justice system is 50% higher than that of the general population. This inequality extends to other health issues and social problems that contribute to ill health. Mental health problems, poor physical activity and substance misuse, in combination with poverty and homelessness, contribute to the complex and multiple needs of this population. Reducing inequalities can therefore improve health and social situations and, in the long term, result in greater public safety and a reduction in crime.

New publication provides guidance on tackling tuberculosis (TB) among under-served populations 23-01-2017

Public Health England has published a new resource to support local TB Control Boards in England in understanding and meeting the needs of people in their communities from under-served populations, a group which includes people in contact with the criminal justice system.

New e-learning hub on harm reduction 13-01-2017

On 1 December 2016, World AIDS Day, a new electronic learning (e-learning) portal was launched on drug treatment, harm reduction and overdose prevention in custodial settings.

Report on prison health governance in France 04-01-2017

The Inspectorate-General of Social Affairs (IGAS) and the Inspectorate-General of Judicial Services (IGSJ) were entrusted with the task of evaluating the 2010-2014 Strategic Action Plan on the Health Policy for Persons in the Hands of Justice and, more generally, prisoners’ access to health and social rights in France.

Counselling in prisons network to celebrate 10-year anniversary 07-12-2016

The counselling in prisons network was founded nearly a decade ago with the primary aim of growing an effective evidence base for therapeutic work in the criminal justice system.

New network launched to improve research in prison health 28-10-2016

At the Regional consultation on prisons and health held in Copenhagen 3–4 November 2016, the Regional Office and the UK Collaborating Centre for Health in Prisons Programme, together with the University of Oxford, plan to launch a new research strategy and framework for prison health: the WHO/Europe Prison Health Research and Engagement Network.

New report: Life in prison: Food A findings paper by HM Inspectorate of Prisons 15-09-2016

Her Majesties Inspectorate of Prisons has published a report on food in prisons in England and Wales.

New publication: Evaluation of opioid substitution therapy in Kyrgyzstan (2016) 24-08-2016

This evaluation explored how the country had implemented the recommendations from the earlier evaluation in 2008. The WHO mission developed further recommendations on the sustainability of OST, how to increase its accessibility, and improve its quality in the civil and penitentiary sectors.

Annual Health in Prison Steering Group Meeting 2016 28-06-2016

The WHO/Europe Health in Prisons Programme Steering Group met in March 2016 in Lisbon, Portugal to introduce new group members and to set the agenda for 2016–2017.

New handbook on children’s right to participation and the juvenile justice systems 31-03-2016

The final seminar of the TWELVE project – promoting the implementation of Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in the juvenile justice system – took place on 17 March 2016 in Brussels, Belgium.

Food systems in correctional settings. A literature review and case study 25-11-2015

This report summarizes existing research on food systems in correctional settings and provides examples of food programmes in prison and remand facilities, including a case study of food-related innovation in the Danish correctional system.

Health in the criminal justice system annual conference 24-11-2015

WHO/Europe and Public Health England jointly organized an international conference and regional consultation on health in the criminal justice system.

Good prison health involves empowering prisoners 26-10-2015

"It's given me hope for the future – something I've never had. I can be a good father, parent and member of the community and get a good job. I don't see myself as Eddy the inmate, but as Eddy the Irish Red Cross volunteer". An Irish Red Cross programme in the Irish prison system over a 6-year period, involving 14 prisons and over 700 volunteers, has shown that empowering prisoners to take charge of their own health can yield impressive results.

Two reports just published by Public Health England on health in prison 14-07-2015

Public Health England, the WHO Collaborating Centre for Prison and Health in London, has just published two reports on health in prison.

WHO/Europe publication "Prisons and health" - Russian translation available on line 25-06-2015

"Prisons and health" -  which was published by WHO Europe in 2014 - has now been translated into Russian by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

“Mandela Rules” – revised UN Standard Minimum Rules on the Treatment of Prisoners 02-06-2015

The "Mandela Rules", a revision of the 1955 United Nations (UN) Standard Minimum Rules on the Treatment of Prisoners, were adopted by the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Vienna, Austria on 22 May 2015

Health in Prisons Programme Steering Group sets agenda for 2015–2016 02-06-2015

The WHO/Europe Health in Prisons Programme (HIPP) Steering Group met in Copenhagen, Denmark to plan activities for the next year.

Ireland implements prison inreach service to identify prisoners with mental illness 07-04-2015

Azerbaijan brings quality tuberculosis care to prisons 24-03-2015

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in many prisons and infection rates are often more than 10 times higher than in the general population. Frequently overcrowded and poorly ventilated, many prisons also lack early detection and sound treatment programmes to combat the disease. Moreover many prisoners come from population groups that are already at high risk of TB infection and disease, such as people who inject drugs, are homeless or mentally ill.

Health in Prisons Summer Intensive course the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, June 15-19, 2015 16-03-2015

Health in Prisons is a one-week course offered by the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of  Bioethics and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

New manual on prison health care and medical ethics just published for the Council of Europe 12-12-2014

A new manual, entitled "Prison health care and medical ethics", has just been published for the Council of Europe.

Reprint 2014: Preventing overdose deaths in the criminal-justice system 16-10-2014

This report updates the information contained in Prevention of acute drug-related mortality in prison populations during the immediate post-release period (2010), identifying the main areas that need to be improved to reduce the risk of death. Linking prison-health and public-health systems closely is essential to mitigating this risk. Preventive responses are considered across all levels of the justice system. The report includes a literature review that identifies a substantial body of research from various countries, which supports the finding that there is a significantly heightened risk of overdose death during the initial post-release period.

HIV/AIDS epidemic in Europe: vulnerability 09-09-2014

Many countries in the WHO European Region have laws, regulations or policies that hinder effective HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for vulnerable populations. WHO/Europe will report on progress in implementing the European Action Plan for HIV/AIDS 2012–2015, including addressing vulnerability and access to HIV services, to the 64th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe.

Fact sheet on Prison and Health is published 28-08-2014

Fact sheet on Prison and Health( 2014) is published

International Health and Justice conference to be held on 2-3 October 2014 in Portlaoise, Ireland. 21-08-2014

Public Health England (PHE), the Irish Prison Service and the WHO Regional Office for Europe are organizing an international Health and Justice conference to be hosted by the Irish Prison Service 2-3 October 2014 in Portlaoise, Ireland.  Network members and representatives of partner organizations are invited to attend and interested individuals from PHE and the English criminal justice system are also welcome subject to limited availability. 

New publication from Public Health England - Managing persistent pain in secure settings 20-08-2014

Managing persistent pain in secure settings - The document is an overview of best practice in managing persistent pain and describes how this practice might be implemented in secure environments, including prisons, police custody and immigration removal centres. 

Strasbourg conclusions on Prisons and Health 24-06-2014

Participants at the joint World Health Organization (WHO)/Council of Europe international expert meeting Prison Health in Europe, based their conclusions on the international rules, standards and guidance relating to the health of prisoners. All countries should be concerned about the need for better health care in prisons for the benefit both of the health of prisoners and the public health of communities at large.

WHO/Irish Prison Service/Public Health England Joint Conference on Prison Health 23-06-2014

Training course on strengthening TB control in prisons of M/XDR-TB high-burden countries 19-06-2014

The newly appointed WHO Collaborating Centre on Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Prisons located in Baku, Azerbaijan, is organizing a training course for policy-makers and health providers

Prisons and health 23-05-2014

Prisons are not healthy places. WHO/Europe works with countries and partners to improve the health of prisoners. Good prison health reduces reoffending, the social costs of imprisonment, and public health expenditure.

Expert meeting “Prison health in Europe: Missions, roles and responsibilities of international organizations” 02-04-2014

The meeting will take place in Strasbourg on 27 May 2014. It will bring together high level representatives of international organizations in the field of prison health.

Annual meeting of the European network for Prisons and Health 27-08-2013

The annual meeting of the European network on prisons and health takes place on 15-16 October 2013 in London, United Kingdom, at the premises of the Royal Statistical Society.  It  is attended by  the national focal points,  representing the WHO Member States of the European network for Prisons and Health, other stakeholders as well as numerous partner organizations. The meeting is organized in collaboration with and under co-sponsorship by Public Health England (PHE) in its capacity as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Prison and Health, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Policy brief by UNODC: HIV prevention, treatment and care in prisons and other closed settings: a comprehensive package of interventions 18-06-2013

A challenge to our professionalism and commitment to protect public health 05-06-2013

Russian version of Alcohol problems in the criminal justice system: an opportunity for intervention 16-04-2013

This publication, now available in Russian, describes an integrated model of care for alcohol problems in prisoners, with elements for best practice.

WHO/Europe in Copenhagen moving to new premises 05-04-2013

WHO/Europe’s head office, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, is moving to new premises during 22 March to 1 April 2013. All United Nations organizations in the Danish capital will come together in new premises known as UN City.

Tuberculosis (TB) concerns us all 22-03-2013

Almost half a million TB patients live in the European Region, and over 40 000 people die from the disease each year. Better diagnosis, treatment and care are vital to stop the disease. 24 March is World TB Day.

Official statement on prevention and control of tuberculosis among inmates 11-03-2013

A statement of The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease entitled "Time to act to prevent and control tuberculosis among inmates" is available online.

One-week course on Health in Prisons: 24-28 June 2013 06-03-2013

An important step for wide involvement of universities in prison health issues: The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are organizing a Health in Prisons Course, 24-28 June 2013 in  Baltimore, Maryland, USA More information on the course and registration procedures are available on the university web site .

New publication on alcohol problems in the criminal justice system 18-01-2013

WHO/Europe has just published the publication entitled, Alcohol problems in the criminal justice system: an opportunity for intervention. This publication describes an integrated model of care for alcohol problems in prisoners, with elements for best practice.

New EMCDDA publication: Prisons and drugs in Europe: the problem and responses 03-12-2012

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) introduced the new publication. This issue starts off by reviewing the available data on drug use among prison populations in Europe, focusing on injecting drug use and other health risk behaviours. Major health risks for drug-using prisoners, including blood-borne infections and infections that can affect all prisoners equally, such as tuberculosis, are discussed. Also mentioned is the role of prison environments, where overcrowding and unsanitary conditions are not uncommon, and the higher-than-average occurrence of psychiatric problems among prisoners.

Annual meeting on Prisons and Health, Copenhagen Denmark, 10-12 October 2012 05-09-2012

WHO/Europe is organizing a meeting on Prisons and Health for national counterparts, other representatives of the WHO Member States of the European network for Prisons and Health, as well as partner organizations. The meeting is organized in joint collaboration with and co-sponsored by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Prison and Health, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Central Asia in the spotlight: growing HIV epidemic among people who inject drugs 19-06-2012

In the WHO European Region, people who inject drugs are particularly at risk of being infected with HIV. Concern is increasing in five central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan), where more than half of newly diagnosed HIV infections occur among such people. This is the focus of the first meeting organized by WHO/Europe to address HIV prevention in this group in the central Asian republics.

Are prisons in Europe healthy? 27-02-2012

Over 2 million people across the WHO European Region are in prison. Prisoners are at greater risk of HIV, tuberculosis, poor mental health and drug addiction than people outside. Three short films look at health in prisons in Azerbaijan, Denmark and Kyrgyzstan.

Evaluation of opioid substitution therapy in prisons - Pilot study in Kyrgyzstan 16-12-2011

Results of a study on opioid substitution therapy in prisons indicates a consistent improvement of health and quality of life among therapy patients. In addition, there was a significant reduction of injecting risk behaviour in relation to transmission of HIV and other bloodborne viruses.

"Womens health in prison: Action guidance and checklists to review current policies and practices" is now available in Russian 14-12-2011

The document "Womens health in prison: "Action guidance and checklists to review current policies and practices" is now available in Russian. The checklists in this document are an important tool in ensuring greater safety and better quality medical care for women in prison, and are designed to assist a review of current policies and practices relating to women’s health in prisons.

WHO/Europe invited to present Alcohol and Prison health at annual meeting of American Public Health Association (APHA) 27-10-2011

The annual APHA meeting in Washington 29 October– 2 November attracts about 13,000 participants.

Best practice awards to 18 European prisons 04-10-2011

At the Health in Prisons Programme network meeting on 4-5 October, 18 European prisons received an award for best practice which aims to share and support good practice in prison health across Europe.

Women’s health in prison 04-10-2011

Women are paying a higher price in prison than men. WHO/Europe and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime have developed three checklists to ensure greater safety and better quality health care for these women.

Management of prison health - a main topic of prisons network meeting 29-09-2011

The WHO Network on Prison and Health meet every year and share best practices on prison health. In addition, the 28 European Member States attending this years meeting on 4-5 October will discuss the issue of prison management and the responsibility for prison health – whether it makes a difference if the Ministry of Justice/Interior or the Ministry of Health is responsible and what are the benefits and challenges of the different systems.

Imprisonment and women’s health: concerns about gender sensitivity, human rights and public health 01-09-2011

Imprisoned women have more and different health-care needs compared with male prisoners. Their needs are related to reproductive health issues, mental health problems, drug dependencies and histories of violence and abuse, and often their status as a mother and usually the primary carer for her children.

WHO Network Meeting for Prison Health 2011 12-08-2011

The WHO Network Meeting for Prison Health will take place on 4-5 October 2011, in Abano Terme, Italy. The main aim of the meeting is to share information between the WHO Regional Office for Europe and its Member States on prison health issues and best practices in the Region.

2011 Best Practice Awards 21-07-2011

The WHO Collaborating Centre for Prison and Health in London organizes the Best Practice Awards, established to identify, acknowledge and disseminate best national practices concerning prison health among Member States. Only prisons and their partner organizations may apply through their National Counterpart.

An editorial in the BMJ addresses “Health services for prisoners”. Where competent prison health services are provided, the health seeking behaviours of prisoners improve. 28-02-2011

Prison Staff and Harm Reduction: New training material available 22-11-2010

The training material is the main output of the EU-funded project “Training Criminal Justice Professionals (TCJP) in Harm Reduction Services for Vulnerable Groups” and has been launched on 5 November 2010

Patient or Prisoner?Does it matter which Government Ministry is responsible for the health of prisoners? 22-11-2010

From prison health to public health 01-11-2010

Prisoners’ health is not only central to many aspects of prison life and management but also a key issue for public health. In Denmark, the prison system focuses on supporting and motivating prisoners.

2010 National Counterpart meeting on Prison Health, Copenhagen, Denmark 29-07-2010

14-16 October 2010 This year, the annual meeting for national Counterparts was organized on the premises of the WHO Regional Office for Europe in Copenhagen, Denmark. The aims of the meeting were to review the progress made over the past 15 years during which the WHO Regional Office for Europe has focused on prison health specifically and to facilitate detailed information exchange between the Regional Office, Member States and international partners.

The Madrid recommendation 28-05-2010

The Madrid recommendation: health protection in prisons as an essential part of public health (all languages)  is now available for download.