The goal is to improve the control of tuberculosis in prisons and other institutions where people are incarcerated.
Prisoners lose liberty but retain certain rights in prison.
These include protection from harm and access to a standard of health care equivalent to that provided in the community. In practice, few prison authorities comply fully with these conventions. Low standards of general custodial care and of health care are common. Despite the often limited information available on the health of prisoners, there is increasing recognition of the health needs of prisoners, including the need to control tuberculosis. Contracting tuberculosis should not be part of a prisoner's sentence.