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ABC News
ABC News
Health

Experts, lawyers lift lid on Australia's 'woefully under-funded' prison mental health services

Experts warn the shock waves of the mental health crisis in Australian prisons could be felt for generations to come. (AAP: Jono Searle)

Almost half of the prison population is mentally ill, but experts say psychiatric services in Australian jails are so underfunded inmates often don't receive treatment unless they are suicidal.

Lawyers and academics believe the neglect of health services in prison is not only a violation of human rights but is creating a complex and expensive social problem that future generations will have to deal with.

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