This report commissioned by HEUNI in 2001 highlighted key descriptive data on health care in Central European penal systems. The research included the countries of the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. This study was intended to compliment the work of Roy Walmsley in 1996 and 2001 on the prison systems in Central and Eastern European countries, as well as research conducted in Italy, England, and Wales. Interviews were conducted in each of the three countries with key prison officials to examine the degree to which international standards were presently being adhered to in the implementation of health policy; the reasons for the lack of adherence; the concerns expressed; and the state of progress. The report addressed a variety of additional issues, such as overcrowding, budget constraints, drugs, and sex in prison. The report was divided into five sections relating to prison health care and included: (1) common problems facing the three prison systems; (2) the structure of the prison health care systems; (3) prison practices affecting the health of prisoners; (4) key issues in health provision, HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, Syphilis, terminal illness, and dental and opticians; and (5) the role of the prison doctor in punishment. Study conclusions depicted an overall interest in change, improving the quality of prisoner health care in all three systems, and in implementing the European and the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for prisoner health. However, there was a feeling of being constrained due to prison budgets. Health promotion and harm reduction were found to be in the developmental stages in the three prison systems. In all three countries, sex in prison and the risks that accompanied unprotected sex were either denied or underplayed. In addition, all three prison systems were at risk due to staff shortages and future recruitment problems. Health care in all three prison systems was considered equivalent to the community. However, with all three prison systems experiencing overcrowding, a strain is placed on staff and the amount of constructive activity available to all prisoners, thereby impacting the overall health of the prison population. References