THE RIGHT TO HEALTH IN PRISON: RESULTS OF A NATIONWIDE SURVEY AND REPORT 3.72 55 per cent (488 staff) responded that they would seek leave from work if they had mental health concerns. 38 per cent (329 staff) would seek medical advice, while 16 per cent (137 staff) would attend counselling. 8 per cent (70 staff) were unsure of their options and 4 per cent (38 staff) reported that they would not take any action.89 3.73 Based on the Commission’s observations during the visits, prison staff may be at risk of suffering from mental stress and emotional exhaustion, particularly because of feeling demotivated due to the little support available to them. If unaddressed, this will have severe consequence, not only on the health of prison staff, but also on the safety of prisoners and the effectiveness of the Prisons Department in general. Risk of Exposure to Communicable Diseases (Q: h90) 3.74 83 per cent (734 staff) stated that they dealt directly with prisoners for more than 4 hours per day. In this regard, 88 per cent (780 staff) felt that they were exposed to infectious diseases while working in prisons: i. Exposed to tuberculosis (94 per cent, 828 staff) ii. Exposed to skin infestations (92 per cent, 815 staff ) iii. Exposed to HIV (78 per cent, 686 staff), iv. Exposed to sexually transmitted infections (35 per cent, 310 staff) v. Exposed to hair lice (47 per cent, 415 staff) vi. Exposed to vector transmitted infections (45 per cent, 394 staff) vii. Exposed to other infections (14 per cent, 127 staff). Refer to Question s. The respondents were asked on the action taken by them if experienced any symptoms of mental health. The answer were given either get medical care, attend counselling, ask for leave, no action, unsure with the answer or others. 90 Refer to Question h. The respondents were asked regarding on the risk of exposure to communicable diseases in prison. They were allowed to choose more than one answers. 89 56