Investigation into healthcare provision for Aboriginal people in Victorian prisons

Description

Aboriginal people are over-represented in Victorian prisons and have poorer health than people in the general community. This investigation examines the provision of healthcare for Aboriginal people in Victorian prisons. It examines whether the prison health system meets the needs and ensures the best health outcome for Aboriginal people. Further, it advises ways to ensure healthcare for Aboriginal people is culturally safe and equal quality to healthcare on offer to people not in prison. Includes the experiences of Aboriginal people from three Victorian prisons, as well as views from Aboriginal organisations and community representatives. It finds that the prison health system is not meeting the needs of Aboriginal people, as it does not take into account previous national and state-based bodies’ inquiries or the wishes of Aboriginal communities. It also finds that the health system does not ensure the best health outcomes for Aboriginal people, as it does not provide holistic healthcare designed and delivered by the Aboriginal community. It offers five recommendations to Victorian Government departments involved in the healthcare of Aboriginal people in prison.

Indigenous Acknowledgement

The Victorian Ombudsman pays respect to First Nations custodians of Country throughout Victoria. This respect is extended to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge their sovereignty was never ceded.