Health in Prison: Does Penitentiary Medicine in Italy Still Exist?

Abstract

Despite the detailed legislative developments that have occurred within the context of prison medicine in Italy, problems of a management nature continue to affect prisoner health and management, which in turn impact the prison system’s ability to offer prisoners a real opportunity for rehabilitation. Certain behavioral aspects reported in prisons may alter and negatively impact the normal doctor-patient relationship, including elements that hinder the therapeutic alliance and impede proper clinical risk prevention and management. However, practical steps may be taken in connection with the analysis of flows and healthcare services that may enable prison administrations to bring about a true, modern restructure of the prison system.