Complex health-related needs among young, soon-to-be-released prisoners

Abstract

BackgroundTo estimate the prevalence and co-occurrence of health-related needs among young people aged 18 to 24 years transitioning out of adult prisons.MethodsData came from face-to-face, confidential interviews with adult prisoners aged 18–24 years in seven adult prisons in Queensland, Australia. We identified the prevalence and co-occurrence of overlapping health-related needs using an Australian health performance framework with four domains: physical health, mental health, risky substance use and socioeconomic disadvantage.ResultsMost young prisoners experience multiple and complex health problems prior to their release: 98% of young prisoners reported at least one indicator of poor hea..