Making prison health care more efficient: Europe's initiative and progress should be noted

doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7516.576

BMJ 2005;331:576 (10 September), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7516.576

Letter

Making prison health care more efficient

Europe's initiative and progress should be noted

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—While it is very useful to be reminded about theneed for cost efficiency in prison health services, the importanceof effective prison health services to public health in generalshould also be emphasised. Awofeso did not have the space tounderline the public health importance of good prison healthin his editorial on making prison health more efficient.¹ Hisconcentration on experience in the United States, the UnitedKingdom, and Australia also pays insufficient attention to initiativesin Europe.

For example, the World Health Organization's Health in PrisonsProject, launched in 1995, now has 10 years' experience in promotinghealth in prisons and custodial settings.² Thirty two countriesof Europe are committed to the project, through their prisonhealth policies, showing a willingness to develop best practiceguidance on preventing disease and promoting health in prisonson the basis of evidence and experience.³ The project will hold. . . [Full text of this article]