In the early 20th century, women gained the right to vote in some countries and in the 60's reproductive rights came to the fore. The rights of indigenous and minority populations have also progressed, albeit slowly, in the last century. Most recently the rights of gays, lesbians, bisexual, transgender and intersex people has undergone incremental progress, most notably in marriage equality for homosexual couples but also regarding HIV stigma and innovative STI programming. Mental illness has moved from oppressive institutionalisation. Much remains to be done. Prisoners, however, remain perhaps the most marginalised; health rights are barely recognised, let alone realised. When will needle-syringe programs (NSP/NEP) in prison become the norm, as evidence suggests they should? When will hepatitis B vaccination become universal in correctional facilities? When will Hepatitis B and C be treated with best-practice medication? Is there any evidence for progress in recognition of rights or indeed implementation of basic health programs?