MENTAL HEALTHSectorscopeAIHW: 3 in 5 people entering Australian prisons have a history of mental health conditions
Mental Health • Sectorscope
AIHW: 3 in 5 people entering Australian prisons have a history of mental health conditions
New AIHW national data shows around 3 in 5 people entering prison reported a mental health condition, and mental or behavioural conditions were recorded for 56% of people in prison in 2024–25. The report highlights high levels of co‑occurring health and social needs and substantial use of correctional health services.
19 September 2026Attention: HighTiming: AIHW media release published 27 Aug 2026; data refer to 2024–25 financial year and prison population measured at 30 June 2025.
WHY THIS MATTERS
High rates of mental health conditions at prison entry and documented in custody underline the central role of correctional health services in diagnosis and treatment, and the importance of planning for continuity of care after release. These findings are relevant to providers, allied health staff and community services involved in re‑entry, as well as policymakers tracking the intersection of criminal justice, health and social supports.
What changed
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) published a media release on 27 August 2026 summarising findings from The health of people in Australia’s prisons 2025. Key confirmed findings in the release include:
Around 3 in 5 people entering prison reported having a mental health condition at some stage of their life. This figure refers to self‑reported conditions among prison entrants.
Mental health or behavioural conditions were the most common health issue recorded in prison medical records in 2024–25, affecting 56% of people in prison.
Other common health issues in 2024–25 included communicable diseases (16%), asthma (16%), obesity or metabolic conditions (12%) and cardiovascular disease (9.2%).
Health service use in custody was high: 95% of people in prison used the prison clinic during 2024–25.
On 30 June 2025 there were 47,000 people in Australian prisons — a 21% increase since 2016 — with around 90% male and nearly 40% First Nations people.
The release highlights social drivers: for example, nearly 3 in 10 prison entrants had completed Year 9 or below at school; one in 4 entrants experienced homelessness in the month before entering prison, and about one in 3 people discharged were expected to be homeless on release.
Risky health behaviours were more common than in the general population: 4 in 5 prison entrants reported illicit drug use in the previous 12 months, and smoking and alcohol use rates were higher.
Despite these challenges, many people reported health improvements while in custody: 51% of people discharged reported their physical health improved during imprisonment, versus 22% who said it became worse.
Stage 1‑relevant findings
The most directly relevant findings for Sectorscope’s Stage 1 audience (NDIS, disability, mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and community‑services workforce) are the high prevalence of mental health or behavioural conditions at entry and as recorded in custody, the high use of prison clinics, the prevalence of risky substance use, and the prevalence of pre‑ and post‑release housing instability.
Funding, timing and administration
The AIHW release summarises data for the 2024–25 period and reports the prison population count at 30 June 2025. The media release does not announce new funding, programs or policy changes; it presents national surveillance and descriptive findings intended to highlight health needs.
What this does not change
The AIHW report itself does not create new services, change eligibility for existing programs (including NDIS or state correctional health programs), or specify operational responses. The release does not set out service‑level models, funding allocations, or legal obligations for providers.
What this could mean in practice
Correctional health services will remain a key point of contact for people with unmet mental health needs; high clinic use suggests demand for staffing, screening, treatment and discharge planning.
The combination of mental health conditions, substance use and housing instability points to the need for integrated care and strong release‑planning links between correctional health, community mental health/AOD services and housing supports.
Providers and allied health professionals working in or with correctional settings may need to prioritise transitions of care and information sharing with community services (within legal and privacy constraints).
What to watch next
Jurisdictional responses: whether states and territories publish strategies, funding or program changes in response to the AIHW findings.
Operational guidance or pilots targeting continuity of mental health and AOD care at release, and any announcements about housing support for people leaving custody.
Further AIHW detail or breakdowns by jurisdiction, age, First Nations status and offence type, which may affect service planning.
Bottom line
The AIHW’s 2025 prison health data confirm a high burden of mental health and related social needs among people entering and in Australian prisons. The release highlights the central role of correctional health services and the importance of coordinated re‑entry planning, but it does not itself change funding, program entitlements or legal obligations. Providers, allied health staff and organisations working on re‑entry should treat the report as evidence to inform service planning and to monitor for policy responses.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
Impact by role
High
Allied Health
What it means: Allied health professionals working in correctional or re‑entry settings are likely to encounter high caseloads involving complex mental health, substance use and physical comorbidity.
What to do: Prepare for integrated care needs, prioritise collaborative care planning with correctional health teams, and advocate for appropriate resources and referral pathways for post‑release follow up.
What to watch: Detailed AIHW tables on comorbidity and service use; any workforce funding or workforce development initiatives linked to correctional health.
Medium
Family / Carer
What it means: Families and carers may need to navigate complex service systems at release, including health and housing supports.
What to do: Seek information about discharge planning, ask correctional health teams about post‑release follow up, and connect with community organisations that provide family support and re‑entry assistance.
What to watch: Local community organisations offering re‑entry support and any public guidance from correctional health services about family engagement.
Medium
Recovery Coach
What it means: Recovery coaches supporting people during release planning may need to focus on relapse prevention, engagement strategies and linkages to stable housing and treatment.
What to do: Strengthen linkages with correctional health and community AOD treatment services, prepare personalised re‑entry plans, and prioritise continuity of care approaches.
What to watch: Announcements of AOD continuity-of-care pilots, and availability of community treatment slots timed to release.
Medium
Support Worker
What it means: Support workers involved in re‑entry or community services may see heightened demand for practical supports and closer coordination with clinical teams.
What to do: Ensure clear referral pathways, update knowledge of housing and AOD services, and work with managers to identify training or supervision needs for dealing with complex presentations.
What to watch: Local partnerships between correctional services and community providers, and any pilot programs for re‑entry supports.
High
Provider / Manager
What it means: Correctional health services and organisations involved in custodial care face sustained demand for mental health, AOD and discharge‑planning capacity. Providers may need to prioritise workforce, screening and pathways to community care.
What to do: Review intake screening and triage processes, assess staffing and training needs, strengthen formal links with community mental health/AOD providers and housing services, and document processes for discharge planning and information transfer.
What to watch: State/territory policy responses, any funding announcements for correctional or re‑entry services, and jurisdictional breakdowns of the AIHW report.
OFFICIAL SOURCE
Where to find the original source
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare — News & Media
Original article: 3 in 5 people entering Australia’s prisons reported a mental health condition
Published: 27 August 2026
Sectorscope articles combine official source material with editorial analysis. For authoritative wording, consultation details and updates, review the original source.