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Welcome to the EuroPris Knowledge Management System. The table below shows questions and responses from European National Agencies. Select a question for more information or use the filters on the left to narrow down questions based on Agency or Category.
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Introduction: It is considered that it would be beneficial to have a comparative view with the practices in other countries in order to improve our health service practices in penal institutions in many aspects. Therefore, we would like to present the questions below.
The official and legal procedure involves a full medical examination of convicts and detainees in the admission unit of prison, which must be carried out as soon as possible by medical staff.
After the first step examination in the institution's infirmary, if the specialist doctor examination is deemed appropriate, is a referral to the hospital made or is the examination carried out by a specialist doctor in the institution?No referral to hospital is expected, unless there are medical pendent appointments. In this case, there will be communication in order to plan such transfers to hospital.
Is it possible to release the convicts and detainees who are unable to maintain their lives alone or in need of care under the conditions of the penitentiary institution due to their illness?In these cases, conditional freedom is expected to facilitate that the individual gets back to his/her social environment, where the public medical service will provide the needed medical care.
Which position and institution is authorized for the suspension of prison sentence or release procedures due to the illness?The Surveillance Judge is the one taking decission in this regard, after the proposal made by the Treatment Joint Board where Medical Deputy Governor will inform its members.
What are the measures taken regarding infectious diseases in penitentiary institutions?It will depend on the type and scope of the infection. Cases such as VIH are controlled in prison in the same conditions than outside prison. Medical isolation is also possible in worse or more complex cases, as well as scheduled appointments with doctors at infirmary. COVID 19 led to the Spanish Penitentiary Administration to develop concrete protocols in order to tackle down pandemic inside prisons, with excellents results.
How are the procedures carried out in the case that special treatment and requests like as organ donation, having a child by assisted reproductive methods, gender-change apart from general health problems needed by convict/detainees?For special cases such as mentioned: 1. Inmates can sing a document containing his/her wills concerning organ donation. 2. For assisted reproductive methods, the individual will be transfered to the proper medical unit, public or private. 3. For gender-change, same examinations than outside prison are possible (psychiatric and medical examination). On the whole, medical assistance for very special treatment and cases, will be the same than for individuals not sentenced to prison.
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The frist admission examination is carried out by the physician of the Medical Service of the prison in the medical consultation rooms of the prison within 24h. after admission. This delay is determined by law It is frequently the case that a patient is first seen by a nurse and afterwards by the doctor.
After the first step examination in the institution's infirmary, if the specialist doctor examination is deemed appropriate, is a referral to the hospital made or is the examination carried out by a specialist doctor in the institution?This depends on the results of the initial medical examination by the physician of the prison. If he deems necessary to carry out further specific tests these can be done in a local hospital or in our proper medical centers (3 for the country)
Is it possible to release the convicts and detainees who are unable to maintain their lives alone or in need of care under the conditions of the penitentiary institution due to their illness?We have a kind of early and provisional release (decision of the court) for medical reasons if the medical condition of the inmate is incompatible with detention. This provisional release is terminated if the medical situation of the person concerned changes and becomes compatible with detention.
Which position and institution is authorized for the suspension of prison sentence or release procedures due to the illness?The court competent for early release.
What are the measures taken regarding infectious diseases in penitentiary institutions?Individual protective measures (face-masks, …) Quarantine and medical isolation are used. We have a dépistage policy for certain types of infectious diseases.
How are the procedures carried out in the case that special treatment and requests like as organ donation, having a child by assisted reproductive methods, gender-change apart from general health problems needed by convict/detainees?We are required by law to apply the same procedures and regulations during detention as applicable In free society.
The frist admission examination is carried out by the physician of the Medical Service of the prison in the medical consultation rooms of the prison within 24h. after admission. This delay is determined by law It is frequently the case that a patient is first seen by a nurse and afterwards by the doctor.
After the first step examination in the institution's infirmary, if the specialist doctor examination is deemed appropriate, is a referral to the hospital made or is the examination carried out by a specialist doctor in the institution?This depends on the results of the initial medical examination by the physician of the prison. If he deems necessary to carry out further specific tests these can be done in a local hospital or in our proper medical centers (3 for the country)
Is it possible to release the convicts and detainees who are unable to maintain their lives alone or in need of care under the conditions of the penitentiary institution due to their illness?We have a kind of early and provisional release (decision of the court) for medical reasons if the medical condition of the inmate is incompatible with detention. This provisional release is terminated if the medical situation of the person concerned changes and becomes compatible with detention.
Which position and institution is authorized for the suspension of prison sentence or release procedures due to the illness?The court competent for early release.
What are the measures taken regarding infectious diseases in penitentiary institutions?Individual protective measures (face-masks, …) Quarantine and medical isolation are used. We have a dépistage policy for certain types of infectious diseases.
How are the procedures carried out in the case that special treatment and requests like as organ donation, having a child by assisted reproductive methods, gender-change apart from general health problems needed by convict/detainees?We are required by law to apply the same procedures and regulations during detention as applicable In free society.
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When an inmate is admitted, questionnaires are already handed out to the inmates with health questions and must be answered by them. Here, the first health problems such as medication, drugs, etc. can already be identified. The first contact with the health department takes place on the next working day - with the exception of the Special Hospital in Austra's biggest prison Vienna Josefstadt: here the first contact is made 24/7 on the day of admission. However, if health problems are detected during admission, a medical solution is in any case sought on the day of admission. Whether it is via escorting to the hospital or via contact to the medical emergency service.
After the first step examination in the institution's infirmary, if the specialist doctor examination is deemed appropriate, is a referral to the hospital made or is the examination carried out by a specialist doctor in the institution?If specialist medical help is needed, there are prisons with specialists on site, as well as prisons were escorts to MDs or hospitals are carried out. This depends on the size of the prison and the availability of the specialtists.
Is it possible to release the convicts and detainees who are unable to maintain their lives alone or in need of care under the conditions of the penitentiary institution due to their illness?Yes, a postponement is possible; it is up to the judge to decide.
Which position and institution is authorized for the suspension of prison sentence or release procedures due to the illness?The procedure is via application of the head of prison including a medical statement (institutional doctor and DG chief physician) to the competent judge.
What are the measures taken regarding infectious diseases in penitentiary institutions?Infectious diseases are divided into highly contagious (e.g. COVID) and blood-borne (HCV). Highly infectious patients are isolated and placed in a single cell under medical care until a negative result is obtained. In the case of blood-borne infections, the disease is determined, a treatment option is determined and general hygiene measures are implemented.
How are the procedures carried out in the case that special treatment and requests like as organ donation, having a child by assisted reproductive methods, gender-change apart from general health problems needed by convict/detainees?Organ transplantation: Recipients of donor organs are examined for fitness for inprsonment - see answer to question 3. GenderChange: Initial testing and psychological support are offered here. Likewise, hormonal therapy is also supported if gender identity is confirmed by experts. Surgical therapy in prison is not provided.
The initial medical examination shall be carried out at the latest on the first working day following the admission to prison facility for serving pre-trial detention or prison sentence. It shall be carried out by a doctor. The purpose of the initial medical examination is to determine the health state of the accused or convicted person, to ensure an assessment of medical fitness for serving pre-trial detention/imprisonment, to decide on medical fitness for employment by determining the medical classification and to establish a plan for further medical treatment and preventive measures, if necessary.
After the first step examination in the institution's infirmary, if the specialist doctor examination is deemed appropriate, is a referral to the hospital made or is the examination carried out by a specialist doctor in the institution?The examination may be carried out directly in the prison facility, provided that the prison facility has a doctor with the necessary specialisation in the employment relationship (e.g. in the form of a contract of services outside the main employment). If such a doctor is not available in the prison facility, the prison must ensure for the inmate to be examined in a civilian medical facility (outpatient or inpatient form (i.e. in a hospital), depending on the condition of a patient).
Is it possible to release the convicts and detainees who are unable to maintain their lives alone or in need of care under the conditions of the penitentiary institution due to their illness?The court may suspend the execution of the prison sentence of a convict pursuant to a special regulation upon the proposal of the prison governor, if the convict suffers from a serious illness incurable under the conditions of the prison sentence. The court shall always suspend the execution of the prison sentence in the case of a pregnant woman and the mother of a child younger than one year. The above mentioned shall not apply to persons serving pre-trial detention.
Which position and institution is authorized for the suspension of prison sentence or release procedures due to the illness?There can be: 1. Suspension of the prison sentence execution: If the convict falls ill with a serious illness, the court may suspend the execution of the prison sentence for the necessary time; however, it shall always suspend the execution of the prison sentence of a pregnant woman and the mother of a child younger than one year. 2. Waiver of the remainder of the prison sentence execution: The court may waive the execution of the prison sentence or its remainder, if it finds that the convict became ill with an incurable life-threatening illness or an incurable mental illness. 3. Granting a pardon: The President of the Slovak Republic may grant a pardon on the basis of the right given to him/her by the Constitution.
What are the measures taken regarding infectious diseases in penitentiary institutions?Infectious diseases listed in a special regulation (the Act on Protection of Public Health) are subject to reporting to the Public Health Authority, which examines the occurrence of the disease and, depending on the nature of the disease, orders the necessary measures in the prison facility (isolation, quarantine, prophylaxis, measures to ensure the disinfection of premises and surfaces, the use of specified PPE, etc.).
How are the procedures carried out in the case that special treatment and requests like as organ donation, having a child by assisted reproductive methods, gender-change apart from general health problems needed by convict/detainees?Donation of blood, organs and tissues is regulated by special regulations on health care and on the procurement and transplantation of organs and tissues, which state that: - inmates cannot be blood donors, - an inmate may be a living donor of a human organ, human tissue or human cells if the recipient of the human organ/tissue/cells is a person close to the inmate and the donation can save the life of such person. Procreation of a child by assisted reproductive methods and gender-change are not permitted for persons serving pre-trial detention or prison sentence execution.
Health services are equal for incarcerated persons alike all inhabitants of the country. When arriving to a prison, every person is asked if there is a need for health-care. This message is delivered to health-personell. Generally health-staff meets the inmate shortly after, depending on the urgency. This first examination from health staff should be carried out within the first day after admission. The examination processes are carried out in the health-section/department of the prison, but can also be done in the cell.
After the first step examination in the institution's infirmary, if the specialist doctor examination is deemed appropriate, is a referral to the hospital made or is the examination carried out by a specialist doctor in the institution?Each prison has a doctor-"resource" dedicated. The doctor is present several days a week in the larger prisons. In the smaller prisons the doctor can be called to come to the prison if needed or the prison staff could bring the incarserated inmate to a dedicated medical (doctor) office. In case of hospital examination or care is needed, the prison doctor makes these referrals
Is it possible to release the convicts and detainees who are unable to maintain their lives alone or in need of care under the conditions of the penitentiary institution due to their illness?A sentence may be executed in the form of 24 hour detention in a hospital if treatment of a dicease necessitates thhis, and such treatment can not be given during ordinary execution of the sentence. A release of convicts or detainees from prison shall be made after preperations. Necessary contact shall be made with public authoroties, etc who can assist in providing properly orgaized living arrangements etc that will help in ensuring that the inmate leads a lawabiding way of life following release. This includes definitly health. Article 41 in the act relating to the execution of the sentencies etc.
Which position and institution is authorized for the suspension of prison sentence or release procedures due to the illness?This authority is given the prison administration- the local governor.
What are the measures taken regarding infectious diseases in penitentiary institutions?The close cooperation with the national health authorities has developed many measures, nationally as well as locally. variations of the building facilities, inmate population, risk of diseases etc are factors taken in this collaborations between health autoroties and the prison management. Procedures relating to several different diceses-scenarios have been revised the last years, nationally and locally due to the covid- pandemic situation which gave us new perspectives.
How are the procedures carried out in the case that special treatment and requests like as organ donation, having a child by assisted reproductive methods, gender-change apart from general health problems needed by convict/detainees?See above, # 3 concering needed healthcare. Special and individual treatment is carried out according to ordinary set of rules, regulations and civil rigths.