HIV In Prisons
While the number of prisoners living with HIV varies by country, there is a higher HIV prevalence in prisons when compared to the general population.
This is due in part to the link between using injecting drugs and being incarcerated.
Drug-related offences are common reasons to pass through the correctional system, and injecting drug users (IDUs) are at a higher risk of becoming HIV-infected.
Because of the lack of measures to prevent the spread of HIV in prisons, there is also a greater risk of transmission in this environment when compared to the general public.
There are four main ways in which HIV is transmitted in prisons.
Injecting drug use is the first.
Inmates will commonly inject their drugs and share needles with one another.
Sexual transmission is another way that HIV in prisons is spread.
Both consensual and non-consensual activities can occur between inmates, even if strictly forbidden by prison rules.
Tattooing is the third way it is transmitted.
The act of tattooing oneself or each other in prison is illegal in most areas, but that does not prevent it from happening.
Violence is the final way HIV is spread in prison.
Exposure to the blood and bodily fluids of HIV infected people may pass on HIV, especially in overcrowded cells.
There are also four ways in which HIV in prison can be prevented.
Educating the public about HIV and AIDS is the first step, since this can prevent new infections and improve the lives of those living with HIV by reducing stigma.
Education among inmates can also reduce the spread.
A harm reduction program is an interesting approach because it reduces the harm to IDUs without condoning their drug use.
The distribution of condoms is a way to help stop the spread due to sexual activity in prisons.
Finally, implementing compulsory HIV testing in prisons-which is a controversial topic-could provide information and advice to those infected.
Treatment of HIV in prisons is important to help inmates infected by the condition.
Antiretroviral drugs will delay the onset of AIDS, but many countries lack access to these drugs.
The situation for prison access is often even worse.
With more adequate government funding, HIV treatments would be more accessible to prisons around the world.
Even where drugs are available, it can be difficult for HIV-positive inmates to follow their antiretroviral treatment diligently.
Without greater attention to HIV in prisons, inmates will carry on enduring the destructive effects of the pandemic.
This is due in part to the link between using injecting drugs and being incarcerated.
Drug-related offences are common reasons to pass through the correctional system, and injecting drug users (IDUs) are at a higher risk of becoming HIV-infected.
Because of the lack of measures to prevent the spread of HIV in prisons, there is also a greater risk of transmission in this environment when compared to the general public.
There are four main ways in which HIV is transmitted in prisons.
Injecting drug use is the first.
Inmates will commonly inject their drugs and share needles with one another.
Sexual transmission is another way that HIV in prisons is spread.
Both consensual and non-consensual activities can occur between inmates, even if strictly forbidden by prison rules.
Tattooing is the third way it is transmitted.
The act of tattooing oneself or each other in prison is illegal in most areas, but that does not prevent it from happening.
Violence is the final way HIV is spread in prison.
Exposure to the blood and bodily fluids of HIV infected people may pass on HIV, especially in overcrowded cells.
There are also four ways in which HIV in prison can be prevented.
Educating the public about HIV and AIDS is the first step, since this can prevent new infections and improve the lives of those living with HIV by reducing stigma.
Education among inmates can also reduce the spread.
A harm reduction program is an interesting approach because it reduces the harm to IDUs without condoning their drug use.
The distribution of condoms is a way to help stop the spread due to sexual activity in prisons.
Finally, implementing compulsory HIV testing in prisons-which is a controversial topic-could provide information and advice to those infected.
Treatment of HIV in prisons is important to help inmates infected by the condition.
Antiretroviral drugs will delay the onset of AIDS, but many countries lack access to these drugs.
The situation for prison access is often even worse.
With more adequate government funding, HIV treatments would be more accessible to prisons around the world.
Even where drugs are available, it can be difficult for HIV-positive inmates to follow their antiretroviral treatment diligently.
Without greater attention to HIV in prisons, inmates will carry on enduring the destructive effects of the pandemic.
