[Ethical and moral considerations of refusal of medical treatment by inmate-patients].

A health care relationship is based on classic premises of autonomy, benefit to the patient, justice and non-maleficence (or the "do no harm" principle). Moral rules are principles that should guide professional conduct, they have no legal power but are self imposed by the group and oblige all professionals to act accordingly. Although the capacity of any imprisoned individual to make decisions about medical treatment is restricted, there are no ethical or moral arguments to justify limitations on the exercise of autonomy where decision making processes that might directly affect him/her are concerned.