NCJ Number
101071
Date Published
1985
Length
13 pages
Annotation
An analysis of the historical roots of the Prison Medical Service (PMS) in Great Britain and the nature of its separation from the National Health Service (NHS) concludes that PMS should be restructured and should become part of NHS.
Abstract
Concern about the spread of louse-borne typhus led to the requirement, starting in 1774, for medical reports on prisoners' health. In the 19th century, the prison doctor's main role was to determine whether prisoners could withstand harsh prison conditions. The 1948 formation of the NHS left both military medical care and prison medical care outside the national system, although the military and the prisons differ greatly. Today, prison medical officers' main roles are to advise management on prison conditions affecting inmate or staff health, to provide physical and mental health care to inmates, and to write reports about prisoners. The current problems in the performance of these functions are the direct result of the PMS structure, especially its isolation from mainstream medicine. Advisory bodies have recommended integrating PMS into NHS. This step would increase both efficiency and effectiveness. Although objections have been raised to such a step, these objections can be resolved. 8 references.