From Equivalence of Standards to Equivalence of Objectives: the Entitlement of Prisoners to Health Care Standards Higher than Those Outside Prison

It is generally accepted that people in prison have a right to a standard of health care equivalent to that available outside of prisons. This ‘‘principle of equivalence’’ is one that enjoys broad consensus among international health and human rights instruments and organisations. The article argues it is time to move beyond the concept of equivalent standards of health care, and instead promote standards that achieve equivalent objectives .