Getting healthcare in prison

When you first enter prison, you’ll have a health assessment to check your immediate needs and understand any ongoing conditions.

Onsite prisoner health staff can diagnose and treat conditions, prescribe medicine and help with most health needs including:

• x-rays and diagnostic tests
• mental health help and counselling
• dental checkups and procedures
• sexual health services and testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• medicine and pharmaceuticals, including opioid replacement therapy
• alcohol and drug counselling and treatment programs
• preventative health programs, such as breast screening.

You can ask to see our prison health team whenever you need health care—it’s your right and all services are free.

Specialist outpatient appointments

If you need to see a specialist offsite, or have a test or procedure we don't offer in prison, prisoner health staff will arrange your care. Corrective Services will escort you to your appointment.

There’s often a waiting list to see a specialist. You can ask to see a private specialist, but you’ll need to pay for your appointment, prison escorts and transport.

Emergency care

In an emergency, Corrective Services staff will escort you to the emergency department at a public hospital.

Mental health and wellbeing

You can talk to prisoner health staff at any time about:

• your mental health and wellbeing
• feeling distressed, anxious or depressed
• alcohol and other drugs
• your relationships
• managing life in prison.

They can help you manage mild to moderate symptoms with treatment and support. They can also refer you to specialist services.

Our specialist team supports people with complex mental illness and behaviours, including suicide and self harm. They work closely with services inside and outside prison to make sure patients get the help they need.

If you’re Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, you can ask to talk with someone who understands your culture. Learn more about the Indigenous Mental Health Intervention Program (IMHIP) .

End of life care

You have the right to compassionate end of life support in prison, including palliative care and voluntary assisted dying.

We'll connect you with services that will:

• help you understand your health and any choices you have about your treatment and care
• support your choices and help you make a care plan
• coordinate your care inside and outside of prison
• offer emotional, spiritual and cultural support
• support your family, friends and relationships.

More information

Learn more about prison healthcare providers.