Melbourne Public Health research finds ex-prisoners struggle to reintegrate into society

11 July 2014

People with a history of mental disorder experience particularly poor outcomes following release from prison, a new Australian study has found.
In one of the largest and most comprehensive studies ever conducted, University of Melbourne researchers and interstate collaborators analysed the severity and complexity of the health-related needs of former prisoners.

University of Melbourne Public Health School
Melbourne studies how ex-prisoners can better reintegrate into society

Lead researcher Associate Professor Stuart Kinner from the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health said that people released from prison often struggle to reintegrate into society.
“Many ex-prisoners face unstable housing, unemployment, on-going mental health problems and relapse to injecting drug use or risky drinking,” he said. “We found that many of these poor outcomes were more common in ex-prisoners with a history of mental disorder.”
In the study, 1,324 adults imprisoned in Queensland were interviewed about their mental state and a range of health-related outcomes within six weeks of their expected release from prison, and then one, three and six months after they returned to the community.
“We wanted to find out how mental disorder affects health and social outcomes for people after their release from prison,” said Associate Professor Stuart Kinner, who worked alongside colleagues from Queensland and NSW.
Prisoners are characterised by a high burden of mental disorder and many also have a history of disadvantage including poor education, unemployment and substance misuse.
Despite this, very little is known about what happens to people after they leave prison and return to the community.
The findings, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, add to a growing body of evidence showing poor health and social outcomes for ex-prisoners.
According to Associate Professor Kinner, “This is not about prisoners. This is about vulnerable members of our community. Assisting people to transition from prison to the community, particularly those experiencing mental health problems, is in the best interests of everyone.”

About the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

The Melbourne School of Population and Global Health aims to strengthen the understanding, capacity and services of society to meet population health needs and to improve the quality and equity of health care.
The population health approach recognises that health is a capacity or resource rather than a state, a definition which corresponds more to the notion of being able to pursue one’s goals, to acquire skills and education, and to grow.
This broader notion of health recognises the range of social, economic and physical environmental factors that contribute to health (Public Health Agency of Canada).
The Melbourne Master of Public Health (MPH) teaches students to recognize and seek to understand the social determinants of health and disease, the molecular basis of disease in populations, and the influence of physical, social and cultural environments. Prime emphasis is placed on the prevention of disease and injury and the promotion of health and well-being.
Melbourne Master of Public Health Specializations

  • Epidemiology & Biostatistics
  • Gender and Women’s Health
  • Global Health
  • Health Economics & Economic Evaluation
  • Health Program Evaluation
  • Health Social Sciences
  • Indigenous Health
  • Sexual Health

Apply to the University of Melbourne Public Health School!

*

Learn more about the Master of Public Health at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health. Contact OzTREKK’s Australian Public Health Schools Admissions Officer Rachel Brady by emailing rachel@oztrekk.com or call 1866-698-7355. Find out how you can study in Australia!

News