The Realm of Public Health Rights: Prisoners in Need of Support

Today, in many criminal systems of the world, imprisonment is very important in order to control criminals. One of the challenges faced by incarcerated people is access to adequate healthcare services, however, behind prison walls, this right is often neglected. In other words, these people should be able to choose the doctor they want with satisfaction and have access to adequate and appropriate medical services, because this issue is one of the most basic human rights. Also, the necessity of protecting their well-being and preserving their dignity requires that they have the right to choose a doctor and have access to medical services. According to principles ۱۲ and ۲۹ of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, it is the duty of the government to provide medical and health services, and this matter, which is stated in the Q.A., shows its vital importance. In essence, the right to health care in correctional facilities is a complex issue involving ethical considerations, fairness, accessibility, and commitment to human rights. It is critical for governments and correctional systems to strike a balance between security concerns and compassionate treatment of prisoners, while recognizing that this has broader implications for public health and social equity. Empowering inmates to make informed decisions about their medical care is not only out of respect for their dignity, but also a practical strategy to promote successful reintegration, reduce recidivism, and maintain public safety. Another important challenge that is raised regarding prisoners is the issue of not giving informed consent and being tested for drug research, which is unethical and illegal and violates medical ethics, human rights and international laws.In other words, even if research is to be carried out on prisoners, it should be done firstly with their informed consent and secondly by preserving their dignity.

کلیدواژه ها:

Choosing a doctor ، Informed consent ، dignity ، Vulnerability ، access to health services