Thailand: UNODC Hosts Cross-Regional Consultation for Prison Officials from Southeast and South Asian Countries

Bangkok, Thailand/03 March 2023: Access to healthcare is a universal human right, and it is important to ensure that it is provided to everyone, including those in detention. Providing adequate healthcare services in prisons is not only important for the health and well-being of inmates, but it is also important for the safety and security of society as a whole.

This was emphasised at a three-day Cross-Regional Consultation organized by UNODC in Bangkok, Thailand, for prison officials from 10 countries of South Asia and Southeast Asia. The consultation brought together senior and operational level prison officials from Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia, Maldives, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh to discuss the challenges faced by authorities in providing healthcare services in prisons. The open platform provided an opportunity for attendees to share experiences, challenges, good practices, and solutions on improving health in prisons and detention.

Opening the consultation, UNODC’s South Asia Representative, Mr. Marco Teixeira highlighted the need for effective collaboration and improved public health systems for people in prisons. Mr. Teixeira also noted that providing access to healthcare is a universal human right, and it should be ensured to everyone, including those in detention.

UNODC's criminal justice expert, Ms. Seema Joshi Arya, provided a regional overview of the situation in prisons in South Asia. She highlighted several challenges faced by prisons in the region, such as overcrowding, mental health, substance use disorders, and limited access to standardized adequate healthcare services, among others.

One of the major challenges highlighted during the consultation was the issue of overcrowding. Participants said that many prisons in the region are operating at or above their capacity, leading to issues such as lack of space and ventilation, increased risk of infectious diseases, and inadequate healthcare services. Overcrowding can also lead to an increase in tension and violence among inmates, making it even more difficult to provide adequate healthcare services.

Mental health was another issue of concern that was discussed during the consultation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of mental health disorders is higher among prison populations than in the general population. However, there is often limited access to mental healthcare services in prisons. Additionally, the stigma associated with mental health disorders often prevents inmates from seeking the help they need.

Substance use disorders were also discussed as a major challenge in providing healthcare services in prisons. Inmates with substance use disorders require specialized treatment, which is often not available in many prison settings. Furthermore, inmates with substance use disorders are often stigmatized and face discrimination, which can prevent them from accessing the healthcare services they need.

During the consultation, participants shared a range of good practices and potential solutions, including improved collaboration between prisons, public health authorities, and other relevant stakeholders, and increased funding for healthcare services in prisons.

This activity contributed to SDG 3 and SDG 16: https://sdg-tracker.org/

(Supported by the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs)