| Title: |
Health in Detention |
| Keywords: |
Vulnerable groups
Public Health
Human rights
Health systems
Ethics
|
| Country: |
Switzerland
|
| Institution: |
Switzerland - Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute, Basel
|
| Course coordinator: |
Alexander Knup
|
| Date start: |
2025-12-08 |
| Date end: |
2025-12-12 |
| About duration and dates: |
Application deadline: 2025-10-19 Pre-reading materials will be distributed 2 weeks prior to course commencement |
| Classification: |
advanced optional
|
| Mode of delivery: |
Face to face
|
|
Course location:
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, CH- 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland |
|
| ECTS credit points: |
2 ECTS credits
|
SIT:
15 hours self-directed learning with pre-reading material
33 hours direct contact time
10 hours self-directed learning
2 hours written exam
Total: 60 hours SIT |
|
| Language: |
English
|
Description:
At the end of the module the student should be able to:
● Define the main legal instruments, professional codes, and declarations designed to protect the rights of prisoners, detainees, and health professionals responsible for the health care of these populations
● Analyse the most important health problems in places of detention
● Analyse and address health and human rights issues facing populations in detention. |
|
Assessment Procedures:
A 2-hour MCQ test will be used to measure the individual performance.
Students will receive the test results and feedback after the exam.
Passing mark is 60%, in case of failure the participants can resit the exam once. |
|
Content:
The course content includes the following topics:
● Global challenges in places of detention
● Legal frameworks for detention activities
● Medical ethics / Medical confidentiality / Dual loyalty
● Importance and challenges of health care and public health approaches in places of detention
● Health Assessment in places of detention
● Mental health, drug abuse and NCDs
● Multidrug resistance TB, HIV and Hepatitis
● Health-friendly environment and infrastructure for detention places
● Swiss Experience of Health Care in Detention (including a visit to places of detention in Basel)
● Hunger strikes and their management
● Torture and ill treatment
● Health impact of solitary confinement and disciplinary segregation |
|
Methods:
The course is based on the principles of adult learning and the teachers facilitate the learning process. The facilitators will share their experiences and expertise with the participants and allow for mutual learning within the group.
Educational methods: presentations 50%, discussions 25%, small case studies 25%. |
|
Prerequisites:
At least two years of professional experience
English requirements at the level of: TOEFL paper 550 / computer 213 / internet 79 – 80 or IELTS 6.0 or native speaker or completed higher education in English (with written proof) |
|
Attendance:
Minimum: 12 participants, maximum 25. No limits for tropEd participants |
|
Selection:
The course is in high demand, therefore, early application is an asset. Enrolment follows the principle of “first come, first serve”. |
|
Fees:
1200 CHF, 900 CHF for tropEd students |
|
|
|
Major changes since initial accreditation:
Since 2020 the coordinator has changed due to retirement. The learning material is not printed anymore but accessible for all participants through Swiss TPH’s eLearning Platform.
Based on students’ feedback the topic of mental health was given more emphasis.
Pre-readings will be sent out for a better preparation of the students beforehand. |
|
Student evaluation:
Each lecture is evaluated as well as the overall course. All the facilitators are highly appreciated.
Overall the students are very satisfied with the course and the content. They appreciate the very unique experience with participants from all around the world. The rating score for the overall course is between 5 and 6 (6 being the highest, the rating scored to towards 6).
The participants highlight that the course is rather short, however there is no intention to extend at this moment. Overall more interactive teaching would be appreciated; this point will be addressed. |
|
Lessons learned:
A direct impact from the course has been reported on participants’ changed implementation practices (for example by ICRC) as many of the participants are local counterparts working in prison system.
We pay attention that not only medical personal is attending the course – we also welcome decision makers – that makes the course a unique experience for mutual learning. At the same time, it is not easy to balance all the expectations of the diverse audience.
The visit to the Basel prisons, including a discussion round at the end of the, is highly appreciated allowing a comparison of different contexts and realizing that also Swiss prisons have issues to address.
The financial crises of ICRC in 2023 showed the dependence of the course from ICRC participants. Promotion efforts were increased to diversify the course audience. |
|
tropEd accreditation:
Accredited in Basel, September 2015. Reacredited in Rabat (EC TelCo), March 2020. Reacredited in Jan 2025 Online GA. This course is valid until Jan. 2030. |
|
Remarks:
22. Remarks: Key readings:
1. Tuberculosis: Mass incarceration as a driver of the tuberculosis epidemic in Latin America and projected effects of policy alternatives: a mathematical modelling study. / Liu, Yiran E.; Mabene, Yasmine; Camelo, Sergio et al. En: The Lancet Public Health, Vol. 9, N.º 11, 11.2024, p. e841-e851.
2. HIV; Prisoners, prisons, and HIV: time for reform. Chris Beyrer, Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Martin McKee, Lancet. 2016 Sep 10;388(10049):1033-1035.
3. Hunger strike: WMA Declaration of Malta on Hunger Strikers |
|
| Email Address: |
courses@swisstph.ch |
| Date Of Record Creation: |
2015-09-14 17:09:22 (W3C-DTF) |
| Date Of Record Release: |
2015-09-14 21:22:43 (W3C-DTF) |
| Date Record Checked: |
2018-03-06 (W3C-DTF) |
| Date Last Modified: |
2025-02-25 10:03:32 (W3C-DTF) |
