A study by the University of Melbourne has found people released from Queensland prisons with mental health and substance abuse issues are 12 times more likely to be hospitalised compared to the general community.
University of Melbourne Centre for Mental Health, research fellow Jesse Young said of the 1307 men and women analysed the top three injuries recorded were assault, self-harm and mechanical force, such as crushing injuries from external forces.
Mr Young believes timely access to Medicare-subsidised medications and primary care would ensure continuous care during the transition from prison to the community and would reduce the injury rate among Queensland prisoners.