Queensland has become the first state to allow people in prison to purchase basic painkillers through the canteen buy-up process, marking a significant step forward in the provision of healthcare in the prison system.
From the start of August, prisons across Queensland began putting in place a new directive that allows for the sale of paracetamol and ibuprofen through buy-up rather than requiring a medical prescription.
A spokesperson for Queensland Corrective Services confirmed the new way of distributing painkillers, and said a trial of this new system found it “positively impacted prisoner autonomy, health management and efficiency within the facility”.
“Prisoners in Queensland are now able to purchase paracetamol and ibuprofen in safe quantities through the prison buy-up process,” the Queensland Corrective Services spokesperson told About Time.
“The program is currently being rolled out across the state, with each centre putting in processes to manage the safe distribution of medication in accordance with centre requirements.”
A new Queensland custodial operations practice directive outlines that, from the start of September, painkillers in the form of paracetamol and ibuprofen would be available for purchase in buy-up, rather than the current process of requiring a prescription through a doctor.
Under the plan, a person in prison in Queensland will be able to buy one box of 10 tablets of paracetamol and one box of 12 tablets of ibuprofen in one buy-up. They will be able to store twice these amounts in their cell at any one time.
Queensland is the first state or territory in Australia to make these basic painkillers – which are available over-the-counter in the general community – more readily available in prison, allowing individuals to better manage their own health and wellbeing.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, painkillers are the second most commonly prescribed medication in prisons, comprising nearly 13 percent of all medicines dispensed.
The provision of healthcare is one of the most commonly raised issues when it comes to conditions in Australian prisons.
The Nelson Mandela Rules require the same healthcare to be offered in prisons as it is in the general community, but access to pain management is often far more restricted for those who are incarcerated.
This equivalent healthcare is meant to be the foundation of all state and territory prisons, but accessing basic painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen is currently far harder for those in prison than in the general community.
Prisoners are generally required to put in a medical request form and wait for an appointment with a nurse and doctor to receive a script, before lining up in the medication line to receive the pills, which they must take in front of a nurse.
Not having control over your own pain management can be “agonising”, said KC, who has been incarcerated in Victoria.
“It’s frustrating when you just need something that’s over the counter in the community,” KC said.
“It’s extremely frustrating when you’re locked in a cell in severe pain to a point where you can’t sleep. We are experts in our own health – we’re just asking for a little bit of pain relief.”
Queensland has become the first state to allow people in prison to purchase basic painkillers through the canteen buy-up process, marking a significant step forward in the provision of healthcare in the prison system.
From the start of August, prisons across Queensland began putting in place a new directive that allows for the sale of paracetamol and ibuprofen through buy-up rather than requiring a medical prescription.
A spokesperson for Queensland Corrective Services confirmed the new way of distributing painkillers, and said a trial of this new system found it “positively impacted prisoner autonomy, health management and efficiency within the facility”.
“Prisoners in Queensland are now able to purchase paracetamol and ibuprofen in safe quantities through the prison buy-up process,” the Queensland Corrective Services spokesperson told About Time.
“The program is currently being rolled out across the state, with each centre putting in processes to manage the safe distribution of medication in accordance with centre requirements.”
A new Queensland custodial operations practice directive outlines that, from the start of September, painkillers in the form of paracetamol and ibuprofen would be available for purchase in buy-up, rather than the current process of requiring a prescription through a doctor.
Under the plan, a person in prison in Queensland will be able to buy one box of 10 tablets of paracetamol and one box of 12 tablets of ibuprofen in one buy-up. They will be able to store twice these amounts in their cell at any one time.
Queensland is the first state or territory in Australia to make these basic painkillers – which are available over-the-counter in the general community – more readily available in prison, allowing individuals to better manage their own health and wellbeing.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, painkillers are the second most commonly prescribed medication in prisons, comprising nearly 13 percent of all medicines dispensed.
The provision of healthcare is one of the most commonly raised issues when it comes to conditions in Australian prisons.
The Nelson Mandela Rules require the same healthcare to be offered in prisons as it is in the general community, but access to pain management is often far more restricted for those who are incarcerated.
This equivalent healthcare is meant to be the foundation of all state and territory prisons, but accessing basic painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen is currently far harder for those in prison than in the general community.
Prisoners are generally required to put in a medical request form and wait for an appointment with a nurse and doctor to receive a script, before lining up in the medication line to receive the pills, which they must take in front of a nurse.
Not having control over your own pain management can be “agonising”, said KC, who has been incarcerated in Victoria.
“It’s frustrating when you just need something that’s over the counter in the community,” KC said.
“It’s extremely frustrating when you’re locked in a cell in severe pain to a point where you can’t sleep. We are experts in our own health – we’re just asking for a little bit of pain relief.”
A trial providing better access to painkillers was conducted at the Townsville Correctional Complex in 2022. Across the year, more than 9,000 painkiller packets were brought through buy-up.
Despite concerns that making painkillers more readily available can increase the risk of overdose and misuse of the medicines, Professor Evonne Miller told About Time the year-long trial resulted in no negative consequences.
“There were absolutely zero adverse consequences reported – nothing bad happened,” said Miller, an academic involved in assessing the trial.
“They were really delighted to have it – to be trusted to self-manage their own pain. And they felt it reduced the tensions and the aggravation.
“If you’re in pain with a toothache or a headache, a couple of panadols do make a significant difference. They thought it was wonderful and really valued it.”
Miller welcomed the move from the Queensland government to expand this trial to all prisons in the state.
“I’m proud to be associated with a positive change that empowers people and supports their health literacy,” she continued.
“Change takes time, and at least it’s happening. This is super exciting and positive, and I’m delighted for the prisoners. This is something they asked for, they requested it and they know the value of it.”
A similar trial was conducted at Victoria’s Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in early 2017, with women given weekly medicine packs that included basic painkillers. But the trial was stopped shortly after it began due to a range of “incidents”, as described by the Victorian Ombudsman. The female prisoners are now required to attend the medical centre to receive prescribed medications, including painkillers, either in the morning and afternoon, which are then dispensed by nurses.
Steph, who was incarcerated in Victoria, said the current system meant many prisoners were taking panadol in case they experienced pain later in the day.
“They may or may not experience pain but they take it regardless,” she said. “That can be quite dangerous for their health.”
The federal government’s National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management identified best practice pain management in prisons as being “critical”, and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has continually raised the importance of pain management in prisons due to the “high prevalence of significant physical trauma in this population”.
Despite this, the Victorian government’s Healthcare Services Quality Framework for Victorian Prisons 2023, which oversees the delivery of healthcare in prisons, doesn’t mention “pain” or “pain management” a single time.
Providing prisoners with more control over their own health is empowering and helps to improve rehabilitation prospects, Steph argues.
“To be able to have autonomy over your own pain, to have that security, it would make a big difference,” Steph said.
“It’s quite revolting the amount of women I’d see walking around in stomach pain or tooth pain and they just couldn’t get basic medication that people in the community can go to the supermarket and get. It’s quite barbaric and cruel.”
A trial providing better access to painkillers was conducted at the Townsville Correctional Complex in 2022. Across the year, more than 9,000 painkiller packets were brought through buy-up.
Despite concerns that making painkillers more readily available can increase the risk of overdose and misuse of the medicines, Professor Evonne Miller told About Time the year-long trial resulted in no negative consequences.
“There were absolutely zero adverse consequences reported – nothing bad happened,” said Miller, an academic involved in assessing the trial.
“They were really delighted to have it – to be trusted to self-manage their own pain. And they felt it reduced the tensions and the aggravation.
“If you’re in pain with a toothache or a headache, a couple of panadols do make a significant difference. They thought it was wonderful and really valued it.”
Miller welcomed the move from the Queensland government to expand this trial to all prisons in the state.
“I’m proud to be associated with a positive change that empowers people and supports their health literacy,” she continued.
“Change takes time, and at least it’s happening. This is super exciting and positive, and I’m delighted for the prisoners. This is something they asked for, they requested it and they know the value of it.”
A similar trial was conducted at Victoria’s Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in early 2017, with women given weekly medicine packs that included basic painkillers. But the trial was stopped shortly after it began due to a range of “incidents”, as described by the Victorian Ombudsman. The female prisoners are now required to attend the medical centre to receive prescribed medications, including painkillers, either in the morning and afternoon, which are then dispensed by nurses.
Steph, who was incarcerated in Victoria, said the current system meant many prisoners were taking panadol in case they experienced pain later in the day.
“They may or may not experience pain but they take it regardless,” she said. “That can be quite dangerous for their health.”
The federal government’s National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management identified best practice pain management in prisons as being “critical”, and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has continually raised the importance of pain management in prisons due to the “high prevalence of significant physical trauma in this population”.
Despite this, the Victorian government’s Healthcare Services Quality Framework for Victorian Prisons 2023, which oversees the delivery of healthcare in prisons, doesn’t mention “pain” or “pain management” a single time.
Providing prisoners with more control over their own health is empowering and helps to improve rehabilitation prospects, Steph argues.
“To be able to have autonomy over your own pain, to have that security, it would make a big difference,” Steph said.
“It’s quite revolting the amount of women I’d see walking around in stomach pain or tooth pain and they just couldn’t get basic medication that people in the community can go to the supermarket and get. It’s quite barbaric and cruel.”
Including tough bail laws being introduced in Victoria, the South Australian Government ruling out raising the age of criminal responsibility, a new parole board president appointed in Queensland and more.
The Australian Federal election is coming up. This is about voting for the Prime Minister and other federal politicians. It will be held on 3 May 2025.
“We can’t get information about how a party or candidate’s policies must impact prisoners,” Kelly told About Time. ‘Prison officers also will not provide us with any information as it is seen as political.”
Prison work differs across the country.
Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.
Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.
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