By Edwina Scott
A lack of treatment for mental illness and infectious disease in Victorian jails could rebound on the broader community when prisoners are released, a report from the state's ombudsman says.
The report released by Ombudsman George Brouwer on Tuesday found that high rates of hepatitis A, B and C, depression, sexually transmitted disease, self-harm and suicide attempts among the state's prisoners put them at the "very high-risk end of the Victorian health spectrum".
It says the justice department has no comprehensive policy for tackling infectious disease and doctors do not have enough time to undertake appropriate medical assessments of prisoners.
Despite the high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases within prisons, the report says the department ignored the ombudsman's recommendations in 2006 to provide condoms to prisoners until very recently.
In particular, the report identified insufficient treatment of hepatitis within prisons as a major concern among medical staff.
"It is likely that this virus could unduly burden the public healthcare system in the future," Mr Brouwer said.
Last Friday the state government announced the introduction of condoms and dental dams in four prisons from September.
Mental health treatment for men in Victorian jails is described in the report as "grossly inadequate", with a lack of beds in psychiatric wards and high numbers of prisoners languishing on waiting lists.
The report warns that an undiagnosed mental illness can cause problems for the community when the prisoner is released from prison.
"It has also been shown to increase the likelihood of re-offending," the report said.
The ombudsman recommends a dedicated prisoner telephone complaint line be established.
The report says prisoners should not lose their cell or bed or work-related privileges if they attend medical appointments.
It calls for an annual review of all medical facilities in consultation with medical staff and says a report should be provided to the justice department.
Corrections Minister Andrew McIntosh said the report on prisoner health care highlighted a history of neglect and cover-up under the former Labor government.
"Labor failed to introduce condoms and dental dams (a rectangular sheet of latex used in dentistry to reduce contamination) into prisons and did nothing about developing a comprehensive communicable disease policy despite 41 per cent of the prison population having hepatitis C," Mr McIntosh said.
He said the Baillieu government had already started to tackle the spread of infectious disease with its program announced last week to introduce condoms and dental dams into prisons.
"This program will help prevent the transmission of diseases and protect the community and family members who may be exposed to disease when prisoners are released," he said.