I have written this blog to share my thoughts about this and to prompt others to think about how sustainability can be considered in the widest sense and not just about climate, waste and energy conservation.
The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) work globally to advance policies that promote humane and environmentally responsible prison systems. The UNICRI's work is guided by the United Nations Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16, which advocates for peace, justice and strong institutions and SDG 13, which emphasises taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. It is interesting to consider health in justice from this perspective, how providing the health education and public health approach gives hope and helps people develop positive habits which maintain health.
The health and justice system should have a focus on rehabilitation and a nurses role in this is fundamental- providing person centred care without judgement at all times. From police custody to probation and court to prison or a forensic hospital. Nurses work with people to help them understand and manage both their physical and mental health in a trauma informed way.
People who enter into the criminal justice system have often experienced multiple health inequalities including neurodivergence and experiences of trauma. The nurses along with other healthcare professionals give them the unconditional positive regard and space to understand their health and work with them to help them understand how they might manage their well-being differently on release. By working in this way nurses are maintaining patient safety and also working sustainably; working with people to manage their own health in a positive way, reducing the likelihood of them reoffending, their health deteriorating and thus accessing fewer health and justice services.
An example of applying this to a real example is how the nurses working in prison work with people who have a history of injecting drugs. Nurses work alongside the prison officers, third sector organisations such as the Hep C Trust and other healthcare professionals to test, treat and educate people. As they address their addiction, learn about personal safety, and address the reasons behind their drug use, they feel heard valued and develop a sense of purpose by becoming a peer working in the prison to educate others. On release, the person feels hopeful and positive, the meaningful activity in the prison as a peer strengthening their resolve to continue to share their lived experience for the education and benefit of others.
Find out more about the United Nations Development goals and read the UNICIRI paper on environmentally sustainable prisons.
The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) work globally to advance policies that promote humane and environmentally responsible prison systems. The UNICRI's work is guided by the United Nations Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16, which advocates for peace, justice and strong institutions and SDG 13, which emphasises taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. It is interesting to consider health in justice from this perspective, how providing the health education and public health approach gives hope and helps people develop positive habits which maintain health.
The health and justice system should have a focus on rehabilitation and a nurses role in this is fundamental- providing person centred care without judgement at all times. From police custody to probation and court to prison or a forensic hospital. Nurses work with people to help them understand and manage both their physical and mental health in a trauma informed way.
People who enter into the criminal justice system have often experienced multiple health inequalities including neurodivergence and experiences of trauma. The nurses along with other healthcare professionals give them the unconditional positive regard and space to understand their health and work with them to help them understand how they might manage their well-being differently on release. By working in this way nurses are maintaining patient safety and also working sustainably; working with people to manage their own health in a positive way, reducing the likelihood of them reoffending, their health deteriorating and thus accessing fewer health and justice services.
An example of applying this to a real example is how the nurses working in prison work with people who have a history of injecting drugs. Nurses work alongside the prison officers, third sector organisations such as the Hep C Trust and other healthcare professionals to test, treat and educate people. As they address their addiction, learn about personal safety, and address the reasons behind their drug use, they feel heard valued and develop a sense of purpose by becoming a peer working in the prison to educate others. On release, the person feels hopeful and positive, the meaningful activity in the prison as a peer strengthening their resolve to continue to share their lived experience for the education and benefit of others.
Find out more about the United Nations Development goals and read the UNICIRI paper on environmentally sustainable prisons.
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