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14/11/2005
Prisons ‘failing’ on HIV and hepatitis C
Prisons are failing to halt the spread of HIV and hepatitis C, a joint report by two charities has claimed.
The report, conducted by the Prison Reform Trust and the National AIDS Trust, criticised prison healthcare as “inconsistent and often sub-standard”.
The survey found that over half of prisons have no sexual health policy in place. However, researchers found that 9% of male prisoners and 11% of female prisoners have hepatitis C – twenty times higher than the rate of the general public.
The HIV rate among male prisoners was also found to be 15 times higher than the rate of the general public.
The report found that some prisoners thought that HIV-positive inmates would be subjected to bullying and discrimination if their health status were known.
Researchers also found that many prisoners did not have access to condoms, disinfecting tablets, clean needles or healthcare information.
Ruth Runciman, Chair of the National AIDS Trust and Deputy Chair of the Prison Reform Trust, said: “Overcrowding and the constant movement of prisoners between establishments create particularly adverse conditions in our prisons for curbing the spread of HIV and hepatitis and there is an urgent need to develop policy and practice to protect individuals and public health.”
The report made a series of recommendations, ahead of the transfer of responsibility for prisoners’ healthcare to the NHS, which is due to be completed by April 2006. The recommendations include: free condoms; access to methadone programmes, disinfecting tablets and needle exchanges; and regular anonymous blood tests to establish levels of HIV and hepatitis C infection.
Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: “Courts sentence people to custody not to inadequate healthcare. The prison population is marked by poor health. It is time the NHS developed good, well-resourced policy and practice to tackle blood-borne disease in prison. Anything else would amount to double punishment and lead to public health risk.”
(KMcA/SP)
The report, conducted by the Prison Reform Trust and the National AIDS Trust, criticised prison healthcare as “inconsistent and often sub-standard”.
The survey found that over half of prisons have no sexual health policy in place. However, researchers found that 9% of male prisoners and 11% of female prisoners have hepatitis C – twenty times higher than the rate of the general public.
The HIV rate among male prisoners was also found to be 15 times higher than the rate of the general public.
The report found that some prisoners thought that HIV-positive inmates would be subjected to bullying and discrimination if their health status were known.
Researchers also found that many prisoners did not have access to condoms, disinfecting tablets, clean needles or healthcare information.
Ruth Runciman, Chair of the National AIDS Trust and Deputy Chair of the Prison Reform Trust, said: “Overcrowding and the constant movement of prisoners between establishments create particularly adverse conditions in our prisons for curbing the spread of HIV and hepatitis and there is an urgent need to develop policy and practice to protect individuals and public health.”
The report made a series of recommendations, ahead of the transfer of responsibility for prisoners’ healthcare to the NHS, which is due to be completed by April 2006. The recommendations include: free condoms; access to methadone programmes, disinfecting tablets and needle exchanges; and regular anonymous blood tests to establish levels of HIV and hepatitis C infection.
Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: “Courts sentence people to custody not to inadequate healthcare. The prison population is marked by poor health. It is time the NHS developed good, well-resourced policy and practice to tackle blood-borne disease in prison. Anything else would amount to double punishment and lead to public health risk.”
(KMcA/SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
