Health Provision for Young People Aged Under 18 in and Leaving SPS Custody

It is widely recognised that there is a cyclical link between inequality, offending, being a victim and poor health (see for example the Report of the Ministerial Group on Offender Reintegration). However, a period of detention in custody can present an opportunity to address the health and wellbeing of a particularly marginalised group of people. Since 2011, responsibility for health care in prisons, including for dental and optometry treatment, has belonged to NHS Scotland. Under Principle 9 of the UN (1990) Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners: “Prisoners shall have access to the health services available in the country without discrimination on the grounds of their legal situation”. As a result, individuals are entitled to the same healthcare whether they are in the community or in custody.