Generating world-class evidence.
Driving real-world change.
Why we do what we do
People who come into contact with the criminal justice system are disproportionately drawn from society’s most vulnerable and marginalised populations. They are distinguished by a high prevalence of complex, co-occurring health problems, typically set against a backdrop of entrenched disadvantage.
The Justice Health Group generates world-class evidence regarding the health and health service experiences of justice-involved people, and advocates for evidence-informed policies to improve their health and wellbeing. Research on the health needs of justice-involved populations is central to addressing health inequities at the population level.
Our vision and purpose
The vision of the Justice Health Group is a world where contact with the criminal justice system is minimised and, where it does occur, contributes to reducing rather than compounding health and social inequity. The objective of the Group is to generate world-class evidence regarding the health and health service experiences of justice-involved children, adolescents, and adults, and to advocate for evidence-informed policy to improve their health outcomes.
World-class research
The Justice Health Group is recognised internationally as a leader in the justice health field. Our work is distinguished by methodological rigour, ethical research practice, a global perspective, and a commitment to real-world policy impact. Our multi-disciplinary team boasts high-level expertise in longitudinal studies, randomised controlled trials, systematic review and meta-analysis, and qualitative methods. A particular strength of the Group is cross-sectoral data linkage — combining administrative data from multiple health, welfare, and justice sources, using privacy-protecting methods, to chart an individual’s journey through multiple systems over time.
Real-world impact
Scientific rigour and research impact go hand-in-hand. Our research is explicitly designed to inform and help shape policies, to improve the health and well-being of justice-involved people. Members of our Group serve on national and international Committees relevant to justice health and health equity. We have a long-standing and unwavering commitment to research impact, and real-world change.