Penitentiary health care: agreement between the NIHMP and the Italian National Forum for the Right to Health of Prison Inmates

On 25 May 2010, the National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty–NIHMP and the Italian National Forum for the Right to Health of Prison Inmates signed an agreement aimed at contributing to the reform of the Italian penitentiary health system. The objective of the reform is to organise a national prevention and early diagnosis project for some specific infectious diseases and a training project for prison workers.

Subscribers of the agreement are Prof. Aldo Morrone, Director General of the NIHMP, and Hon. Leda Colombini, President of the Italian National Forum for the Right to Health Care of Prison Inmates.

The objective of the agreement is to collaborate in the creation of research, communication and training programmes aimed at contributing to the reform of the Italian penitentiary health system, by providing specific training and respecting the dignity of prison inmates. It is crucial to focus on detainees, both considering their physical and mental health, and to conceive their health protection as an advantage for the entire society, especially considering the moment of their release.
Our Institute will provide its scientific expertise in the organisation of a national prevention and early diagnosis project for some specific infectious diseases and female tumours, whereas the National Forum will organise a training project for penitentiary health workers and professionals.