Health and Crime Outcomes During and Following Prison Release Among a Prospective Cohort of Men With a History of Injecting Drug Use

People with a history of substance use, particularly injecting drug use, are overrepresented among people in prison. The aim of this thesis was to examine the health outcomes during periods of imprisonment and the health and crime outcomes within 12 months following release from prison among a prospective cohort of men with a history of injecting drug use in Victoria, Australia. This thesis shows there is a need to increase resources and reallocate those current available toward an evidence-based and health-oriented response for people engaging in non-violent and drug-related crime.