Inside out: Exploring the continuation of healthcare for those being released from prison

Have you been released from prison within the last twelve months? If so, we would love to hear from you. 

At the beginning of this year, Healthwatch Lancashire started to engage with individuals who were incarcerated or had recently been released from prison to hear their experiences about accessing healthcare. This engagement was through Health and Wellbeing events at Lancashire prisons, attending Veterans Breakfast Clubs in prisons and meeting with advocacy and support groups.

Through this engagement, Healthwatch have discovered that there appears to be poor continuation of healthcare once someone is released from prison and is returning to the local community.  

Introducing ‘Inside Out’. 

Based on conversations with ex-offenders and healthcare and support providers, Healthwatch Lancashire have set up ‘Inside out’; a project looking into the continuation of healthcare when being released from prison and returning into the local community.

This project in collaboration with Red Rose Recovery who support people with lived experience of substance abuse, working alongside those who have served time to listen to peoples experiences and present our findings to the relevant healthcare providers.

So far, we have met with some great organisations who work with prisons and provide support upon release including Release Mates CIC, ReCoop who work with older people in the justice system, ABL Health who have been commissioned by NHS England to carry out patient engagement within prisons, NHS England and North West regional health and justice services.

If you’d like to share your experience please contact Sue on Susan.Edwards@healthwatchlancashire.co.uk