thirds of prison inmates live with a mental illness
A study in the Northern Territory of Australia reveals that nearly two-thirds of prison inmates suffer from mental illness, with schizophrenia and substance use disorders being most prevalent. Advocates are calling for urgent government funding for specialized forensic mental health facilities.
Why it matters
The lack of mental health support in the prison system highlights a significant gap in healthcare and justice for vulnerable, predominantly Indigenous, populations.
Danica Winterton and Rob Assan are bridging the gap between health services and the justice system. ( ABC News: Pete Garnish )
A study published in Australasian Psychiatry has found that almost two-thirds of NT prisoners have a mental illness.
Substance use disorder was the most common mental illness, impacting almost 70 per cent of female prisoners.
Advocates and experts are calling on the NT government to fund services to support prisoners and reduce reoffending.
Link copied Share Share article A landmark study has highlighted how common mental illness is in the Northern Territory's burgeoning prison population, despite there being no mental health facility or specialised support.
Every week inside Darwin's Correctional Centre, Danica Winterton and Rob Assan see inmates who desperately need treatment.
They are the backbone of the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA)'s mental health team, helping prisoners access medication and lending an ear.
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