Working to Improve Prison Health Care

Prisoners are one of the most vulnerable populations in our health care system. They face numerous health problems, suffering from chronic illness, sexually transmitted diseases, drug and alcohol addiction, and mental illness at rates many times that of the population at large. With 97 percent of inmates eventually returning to the community, their health problems are also public health problems. Yet, inmates face a labyrinth of obstacles to getting timely and appropriate medical care.

HLA has advocated for improvements in correctional health care and helping inmates access needed health care. HLA has collaborated in these efforts with Massachusetts Correctional Legal Services.  HLA has also represented a limited number of prisoners from the Suffolk House of Corrections who are experiencing problems accessing emergency or urgent medical care.