Public AffairsHealth PolicyHealth PromotionHealth AssessmentHealth Services ResearchPublic Health PolicyCorrectional Health CareCorrectional InstitutionsPrison AdministrationHealth Services PolicyHealth Workforce Needs AssessmentInternational Public PolicyMedical Care In PrisonPopulation Health Needs AssessmentPrison Health CarePrison SystemsPublic Health Needs Assessment
Recent policy changes in England and Wales have transferred commissioning and funding of prison healthcare from the prison service to the National Health Service for the first time in its history. Most health services in prisons are now provided by primary care trusts (PCTs), with the consequence that PCTs have a new highly vulnerable population for whom health needs must be assessed and services provided. This article describes what is currently known about the health needs of prisoners and the subsequent implications for public health and health promotion. Following a brief discussion of national and international policy on health promotion in prisons, an overview is given of recent national and local initiatives on public health issues.