Contemporary Migrant Health Experience and Unique Health Care Needs in European Prisons and Immigration Detention Settings

Abstract

Coinciding with mass population movement of migrants into Europe, populations of those incarcerated and detained in prisons and immigration detention settings have diversified significantly. A scoping review mapped and described extant literature on migrant health experience and unique support needs in these settings. Fifteen records fulfilled inclusion criteria and indicated that migrants are generally in good health on intake/committal, but have complex mental health needs and are particularly vulnerable to environmental and communication stressors in closed settings. Whilst the review underscores the need for operationalization of culturally sensitive health and wellbeing supports for migrants in prisons and immigration detention settings, it is recommended that States reduce their reliance on detention.

Keywords:

• Migrant
• health
• Europe
• prisons
• detention

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

Notes

1 Rule 2 of the Nelson Mandela Rules states that to put the principle of non-discrimination into practice, prison officials shall have regard to the individual needs of prisoners, specifically the most vulnerable. Rule 24 declares that provision of health care for prisoners is a State responsibility and that prisoners should enjoy the same standards of health care as those accessible in the community.