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Improving public health by respecting autonomy: using social science research to enfranchise vulnerable prison populations

Shaw, David and Elger, Bernice. (2015) Improving public health by respecting autonomy: using social science research to enfranchise vulnerable prison populations. Preventive Medicine, 74. pp. 21-23.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/41726/

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Abstract

It is widely recognised that prisoners constitute a vulnerable population that is subject to numerous health inequalities and merits special protection. Improving prisoners' access to healthcare by ensuring adherence to the principle of equivalence has been the main focus of efforts to ensure that their health is not jeopardised. However, another means of respecting prisoners' autonomy and improving their health is to involve them (and prison staff) in social science research within prisons. Such research not only produces valuable data which can be used to assess whether the principle of equivalence is being respected; it also enfranchises prisoners by allowing them to air concerns about perceived ill-treatment and influence their environment. If prison authorities enable such research and adjust policy accordingly, both they and prisoners will benefit from the increased level of respect for prisoners' autonomy, and the improvements in individual and public health that flow from this. Conducting social science research in prisons enables the creation of a virtuous cycle of respect that makes prisons safer and healthier places.
Faculties and Departments:08 Cross-disciplinary Subjects > Ethik > Institut für Bio- und Medizinethik > Bio- und Medizinethik (Elger)
03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Public Health > Ethik in der Medizin > Bio- und Medizinethik (Elger)
UniBasel Contributors:Elger, Bernice Simone and Shaw, David
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0091-7435
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Identification Number:
Last Modified:04 Oct 2017 09:01
Deposited On:04 Oct 2017 09:01

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