Health Effects from Incarceration of Indigenous Australians

The Health effects from incarceration of Indigenous Australians has been a matter for concern.

Background

The Australian prison population includes a disproportionate number of Indigenous Australians. Western Australia was the first state to experience a dramatic rise in Indigenous imprisonment in 1841. Imprisonment can lead to multiple negative health effects on the individual. These negative effects have been well researched and include mental health and well-being issues, grief and loss, violence and the need for family and community.[1] Juvenile incarceration has rapidly increased over the last 15 years, which affects the mental and physical growth of the youths.[2]

Incarceration rates in the US from 2000-2009

Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Gooda said in 2014 that over the previous 15 years, Indigenous incarceration had increased by 57%.[3]

Effects of imprisonment

A large number of Indigenous Australians in imprisonment experience many problems, including malnutrition, diseases, lack of opportunity, and erosion of their individual identity.[4] Statistics have shown that Indigenous people are 13 times more likely to be imprisoned than non-Indigenous people.[4] Imprisonment can be a traumatic experience for any persons.[4] There are many other factors associated with mental health effects while in custody, including psychological distress, life stresses, discrimination and domestic violence. A study has shown that 50% of males and 85% of Indigenous females reported medium or higher levels of psychological distress.[4]

Juvenile imprisonment

The University of Sydney researched and examined juvenile men in prison and their personal experiences.[2] The boys were separated from their families, which caused many negative emotions, including sadness, loneliness, and guilt. One boy said: “I was stressing out, missing my family. The phone system was down. I hadn’t been able to talk to my family for four days. There were no cigarettes. I’m on antidepressants... I didn’t get my medication... I felt suicidal”. These negative effects of imprisonment may leave juveniles with trauma and long term mental effects.[2]

Deaths in imprisonment
See also: Aboriginal deaths in custody

Death rates in prison are cause for concern.[5] National reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people has been tainted with suspicion that the running of the criminal justice system was against Indigenous Australians. After a large number of Aboriginal deaths in custody in 1987, the Federal Government ordered the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.[5]

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See also

References
  1. Krieg, Anthea S. (15 May 2006). "Aboriginal incarceration: health and social impacts". Med. J. Aust. 184 (10): 534–536. PMID 16719762.
  2. Ashkar, Peter (2008). "Young Offenders' Subjective Experiences of Incarceration". Views from the Inside. 52 (5): 584. doi:10.1177/0306624X08314181.
  3. "Number of Indigenous Australians in prison a 'catastrophe'". ABC News. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  4. Wooten, Hal (2002). "Choice and Development for Aboriginal and Islander Australia". Indigenous Futures.
  5. Weatherburn, Donald (2014). "Pathways out of Indigenous imprisonment". Arresting Incarceration. ISBN 9781922059550.
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