Everyone — including people who have been detained — has a right to the highest attainable standard of health and to healthcare that is at least equivalent to that which is available in the community, whatever their immigration status. The current system — which allows for indefinite and punitive detention without comprehensive oversight — fails to protect and promote the human rights of detained individuals, including their right to health. Health information is not adequately tracked in immigration detention, leaving no clear picture of the healthcare needs of detained individuals, including those who use drugs or live with HIV or hepatitis C (HCV). Detained individuals are restricted in their ability to access critical healthcare services that are available in the community, which needlessly exposes them to harm, including increased risks of acquiring or transmitting HIV, HCV, and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs).
HARD TIME PERSISTS: HEALTHCARE AND HARM REDUCTION IN IMMIGRATION DETENTION
Author
Topics
Access to Medicines, Discrimination, Drug Policy, Immigration and Travel, Prisons
Language
English, French