The women's prison in Chemnitz for Saxony and Thuringia also relies on telemedicine for medical care. Since May, the pilot project has provided around 300 treatments via video consultations, the Ministry of Justice announced at a presentation behind prison walls on Thursday. General medical, dermatological and psychiatric consultations are offered - around the clock and also at weekends. There are currently 209 women in the prison.
"This is a huge relief," explained Patrick Grams from the medical service. This eliminates time-consuming trips to external surgeries and hospitals. Interpreters could also be easily called in. The service cannot replace the prison's own doctor, but it can complement him. He and his team are on hand to assist prisoners during examinations and operate special electronic devices such as a digital stethoscope.
In principle, according to the Ministry of Justice, prisoners are entitled to the same medical services as people on the outside. However, according to the information, prisons are also feeling the effects of the shortage of specialists. In addition to the women's prison in Chemnitz, telemedicine is currently being tested in Torgau Prison. The costs have been estimated at around 654,000 euros for two years. An evaluation is planned at the end. If this is positive, she sees good opportunities to extend telemedicine to other prisons, said Saxony's Justice Minister Katja Meier (Alliance 90/Greens).
