Health of Australia's Prisoners 2015

The health of Australia's prisoners 2015, published by the AIHW, includes data from 1,011 prison entrants, 437 prison dischargees, over 9,500 prisoners who visited a prison health clinic and about 9,400 prisoners who took medications.  This report includes, for the first time, data on the smoke-free status of prisons, disabilities and long-term health conditions experienced by prisoners, and self-assessed health status.

Mental health issues and risky health behaviours, including tobacco smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and illicit use of drugs, continue to be the main areas of concern. The health of Indigenous prisoners (over-represented at 27% of the prison population) is also a continuing concern.