system or associated with social stigma like TB/Leprosy 7. Language barriers: if the prisoner is from tribal background or uneducated, dif iculty may arise in proper communication of the suffering to the health staff. 8. No trust on jail authority/ over strictness by jail authority 9. Finding insuf icient time to seek for medical advice especially in cases of prisoner spending imprisonment with rigorous work. 10.Absence of social support system in jail 11.Shortage of infrastructure/healthcare staff. 14. What are some good practices for improvement of prison health services? 1. Medical examination of each prisoner should be done on admission to prison. 2. Medical examination should be done con identially. 3. Prison rules related to medical care should be given to prisoners in writing. 4. Medical record should be kept in ile of each prisoner. 5. Prisoner should be given information on transmissible disease and their prevention methods on entry to prison such as TB & HIV etc. 6. Screening for TB and HIV should be done on admission to prison. 7. Prisoner should be given permission to place a request to access to medical of icer, for which request register may be maintained. 8. Common ailments should be identi ied and their medicine supply should be ensured. 9. Emergency medication supply should be ensured. 10.Strictly adhere to referral criteria. 11.Special diets should be provided to those for whom they are medically necessary. 12.Self-mutilation management protocol should be in place. 13.Rules for treatment of seriously ill should be in place so as to ensure timeliness in initiating the appropriate treatment. 14.Regular meetings should be encouraged between the prison incharge and the medical of icer to make any necessary adjustment. 15.The judiciary or prison authorities may ask doctors to establish a person's itness to be detained or to prepare forensic reports in cases UNDERSTANDING THE HEALTH CARE IN CUSTODY | 10