A survey investigating the health of prisoners in Australia has discovered some worrying results. Among other things, young Australians living with disabilities end up in prison three times as much compared to their non-disabled peers.
According to the latest ''Health of Australia’s prisoners 2018'' report, last year young Australians living with disabilities ended up in prison at three times the rate of their able-bodied counterparts.
Bureau of Statistics says around eight per cent of people in Australia between the ages 18-34 are living with a disability.
But the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, which conducted the study, says that in prison, the number of people in the same age bracket living with a disability is 26%.
Anna Ritson, the head of the AIHW's Justice and Education unit, is concerned with the results.
''Prisons aren’t necessary set up to cope with prisoners who have intellectual and physical disabilities. I think it's important that we get a good measure on how many prisoners need those services, support and help," she said.
The report collected data from prisoners in 62 adult prisons last year across Australia, except New South Wales.
New South Wales conducts its own survey on prisoner health every five years. The AIHW conducts its survey every three years.
The study also found that prisoners experience higher rates of mental health conditions, head injuries, drug use and communicable diseases compared to the general population.
In June 2018, there were about 43,000 people in Australia’s prisons. From them, 32% were on remand and 62% were serving sentences less than 5 years in length.
