Medicare in Prisons: Lobbying for reforms in custodial healthcare
Medicare in Prisons
Most people are surprised to hear that incarcerated people lack access to Medicare, Australia’s ‘universal’ health care system. The lack of Medicare access causes many issues not only for people in prison themselves, but also for the general community. The consequences include unnecessary deaths, the exacerbation of mental health conditions, increased recidivism, and increased strain on public health services once those in custody are released. While the costs of providing Medicare access in prisons may appear substantial, all available evidence suggests it would be highly cost effective as improved mental and physical health is known to reduce reoffending, thereby avoiding the high costs of reincarceration.
While the need for Medicare in prisons is clear from public health, human rights and economic perspectives, all efforts to make it available in prisons have thus far been unsuccessful. It is noted that government reports, community organisations and academics have called for and lobbied unsuccessfully for Medicare in prisons since at least 1985. Accordingly, we are organising a round-table discussion to talk about the need for and logistics of making Medicare available in prisons, and also the most effective way to lobby for this issue considering the complete lack of action taken by previous Federal Health Minister's on the matter.
For in person attendance click here
For online attendance click here
Speakers:
Damien Linnane, PhD candidate and former prisoner
Professor Megan Williams, Associate Dean (Indigenous) Faculty Management, UTS
Dr Dana Slape, Australia's first Indigenous dermatologist
Dr Margaret Faux, Medicare expert
Gerry Georgatos, Journalist and Human Rights Advocate
Dr Stephen Hampton, Executive Medical Director of Justice Health
Please note, this event is free, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided. This event is co-organised by the Centre For Law and Social Justice (University of Newcastle) and the Justice Health Unit (Curtin University, University of Melbourne, Murdoch Children's Research Institute).
Event Information
- Date: This event was held on Monday 5 December 2022
- Location: University of Newcastle, Sydney Campus, Room ELI11, 55 Elizabeth Street Sydney OR online
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.