UN calls for structural changes in prisons to combat HIV

Colombo, Aug 23 (UNI) HIV prevalence among prison population which is found to be higher when compared with the general population is causing concern and a UN agency has called for structural changes like decongesting prisons and raising awareness among inmates.

Speaking at the eighth Internal Congress on Aids in Asia and the Pacific, United nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Regional representative Gary Lewis said, ''Drug treatment should be offered as an alternative to jail for those who are dependent on substances.

''HIV/AIDS prevention and care for prisoners should be equivalent to that available in the general community,'' he added.

'' We advocate that general prison conditions should be scrutinised, both internally and externally, and prison should be secure, safe and orderly in order to reduce violence and the spread of HIV,'' Mr Gary said.

UNODC insists on classifying and separating juveniles from adult prisoners and on prisons providing maternity wards for female prisoners. It encourages countries to actively involve organisations in prisons for after-care services.

An essential step in developing a strategy to raise awareness among policymakers on HIV/AIDS situations in prisons, the UNODC chief said. The strategy must address structural issues such as overcrowding and corruption. It must raise awareness among the prison staff. Also, it must provide prisoners with preventive measures, counselling and dependence treatment and rehabilitation opportunities.

A panel of speakers suggested special attention be given to the need of inmates at risk, including juvenile, females, foreigners and inmates belonging to ethnic and other minorities.

Prison population tend to be the high-risk groups for the spread of HIV, both because of the activities in which they engage and because of the unique characteristics of the prison environment. HIV prevention among prison population is also found to be higher when compared with the general population. Yet, the delivery of HIV related prevention and treatment programmes to the prison population remains limited, the speakers said.

Mr Gary said effective policies to prevent HIV inside prisons and other correctional institutions are often hampered by a number of things. They include denial of the existence of the factors that contribute to the spread of HIV, overcrowding, unsafe sexual activities and drug use, violence through the ongoing intervention in South Asia.

UNI