The key health-related challenge faced by persons in prisons is limited (or, in some cases, even deprived) access to proper medical care in due time. Imprisonment as such can also have a negative impact on health.
Health care in prison
You may be placed in prison if:
- a court has found you guilty of a crime and sentenced you to serve a prison sentence or
- you are held in detention on remand during your trial and are awaiting the final judgment for your case
In any case, prison administrations must ensure that prisoners (both arrested and convicted persons) receive proper medical care. Health care staff must deal with prisoners primarily as patients and not as prisoners.
In Estonia, prisoners are entitled to the following State-paid health care:
Read more about health in prison and medical aid during the arrest or detention on remand in this Guide.
Conditions in prison
Conditions in prison should not negatively affect a prisoners’ health: this includes hygiene, adequate nutrition, and the possibility of physical exercise.
example If a prisoner is given only one full meal per day, some bread and tea, this is considered insufficient nutrition, posing a threat to the prisoner’s health. Such treatment would go against the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.
example Arrested and convicted adults are entitled to a daily walk lasting not less than one hour (with a recommendation from a physician, this may be extended to 1.5 hours).
Read more about the conditions in prison and during the arrest or detention on remand in this Guide.