Physical Healthcare In Prisons
People in prison are generally in poorer health compared to the general population. They are considered in ‘old age’ 10 years earlier than the general population.
Our policy work in Health and Wellbeing
Our policy work in health and wellbeing looks at how health and wellbeing interfaces with disadvantage. We look at the interaction of mental health with our other areas of focus, such as education, housing and justice. And we develop solutions to improve health outcomes and improve people’s wider life chances.
Our health and wellbeing policy and research areas
Our research focuses in health and wellbeing policy are:
We draw on our expertise working with people in the justice system to highlight challenges and put forward policy solutions. We aim to break the link between poor mental health and substance misuse and crime. And we work to improve access to services and treatment to help people build positive lives away from crime.
We draw on our experience delivering frontline support services to highlight the importance of acting early to promote good mental health and wellbeing.
We draw on our experience working with people with substance misuse problems to highlight the challenges they face and the support needed.
Our latest work: Reducing deaths among prison leavers
In July 2026, we launched a report ‘Reducing Deaths Among Prison Leavers’. The report found than one person dies every day in the year after leaving prison. Someone leaving prison now is more likely to die within three months of release than a person aged under 75 is over the course of an entire year.Â
The report recommends that more should be done to reduce the risk of people dying after release from prison, estimating that up to one in seven drug-related deaths could be avoided if everyone with a history of opioid dependence received drug substitution therapy on the day they left prison.
We are committed to driving change to shape health and wellbeing policy, driven by the experiences and problems faced by our service users.
Health and Wellbeing publications
The following are highlights from our policy work in health and wellbeing
Turned Away
Turned Away. New research from Nacro shows the barriers to accessing primary healthcare for prison leavers and other marginalised groups.
Nacro launches race, mental health and criminal justice report
Joint briefing from Nacro, Clinks, the Association of Mental Health Providers, Mental Health Foundation and the Race Equality Foundation
Our Health and Wellbeing publications library
For all our health and wellbeing policy and research publications, please see our publications library.
You will be able to review our reports, research, responses, and case studies.
Collaborate with us on Health and Wellbeing policy and research
We drive change through collaboration. We work with a wide range of organisations, in the public and private sector, who share our vision.
We actively look to partner with universities, research centres, charities, government departments and statutory bodies, local and national enterprises, who can help us to drive change.
If you would like more information on how you can partner with us to support your research, or be part of making an impact through changing policy, email us at policy@nacro.org.uk.
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You can search all of our publications in the publications library