Our Services - Aboriginal Health
The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody 1991 stated, “Too Many Aboriginal people are in custody to often”. In the 14 years since the Commission handed down its finds, the number of Aboriginal people in custody has continued to rises at a steady rate. In January 2005 the number of Aboriginal people in custody had risen to the highest number and the highest proportion of Aboriginal inmates ever recorded in NSW. If the current rise in incarceration rate of Aboriginal people continues, the Aboriginal inmate population will increase 1% per year over the coming years.
This increase, posses a number of significant challenges for Justice Health and the way in which we provide services to an ever-increasing Aboriginal inmate population. The well being of Aboriginal people within the NSW Correctional Environment is a priority for Justice Health. We recognise that to achieve long-term health outcomes for Aboriginal people, the connection between, individuals, families, community and service providers is essential for the continuity of health care.
The Justice Health commitment is to the development and delivery of Designated Aboriginal Health Services through Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services. Over the past five years this approach, has lead to the development of a strong partnership with the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services through out the State. Strengthening links between Justice Health Clinics and local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services is the key to better long-term health outcomes for Aboriginal inmates.
Providing Aboriginal people with a range of services that addresses their health needs when incarcerated can provide for the long-term health of individuals and their families. Accessing programs like the Aboriginal Vascular Health Program as well as Doctors and Aboriginal Health Workers from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services are essential in providing better health care for Aboriginal people.
2005 has proven to be a significant year for Justice Health with a review of the Aboriginal Strategic Plan – “Care in Context”. The review has made a number of recommendations including the development of a new Strategic Plan called “The Whole Being”. The Whole Being will include a number of strategies to address:
- the increasing number of Aboriginal people coming into the adult and adolescent systems
- the issue of mental illness and substance abuse
- increased infection of blood borne virus amongst Aboriginal inmates
- the continuity of care from community into incarceration and back into the community
- the specific needs of men, woman and adolescents
A copy of “The Whole Being” will be made available online shortly.
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