Difference between revisions of "HIV in Prison"
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== Background == | == Background == | ||
| − | Prisons have often been described as "incubators of disease." Several factors contribute to this description, especially in Africa and Central America, including overcrowding, lack of medical supplies and lack of protection from sexually transmitted diseases provided to the inmates.<ref>http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/146828.php</ref> Thus, HIV thrives in the environment of a neglected prison and legal system.<ref>http://www.soros.org/initiatives/justice/focus/criminal_justice/articles_publications/articles/pretrialdetention_20081201PretrialDetention:Scale_and_Relevance_to_HIV/AIDS,_CanadianHIVAIDS_Policy_&_Law_Review/Author:Denise_Tomasini-Joshi/Date:December1,2008</ref> In many cases, incoming prisoners are infected with HIV due to poverty and devastation, conditions that often lead to criminal behavior and sexual activity.<ref>http://www.plusnews.org/IndepthMain.aspx?ReportId=71089&IndepthId=48</ref> Holding pretrial detainees for prolonged periods of time in the same area as those already convicted is | + | Prisons have often been described as "incubators of disease." Several factors contribute to this description, especially in Africa and Central America, including overcrowding, lack of medical supplies and lack of protection from sexually transmitted diseases provided to the inmates.<ref>http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/146828.php</ref> Thus, HIV thrives in the environment of a neglected prison and legal system.<ref>http://www.soros.org/initiatives/justice/focus/criminal_justice/articles_publications/articles/pretrialdetention_20081201PretrialDetention:Scale_and_Relevance_to_HIV/AIDS,_CanadianHIVAIDS_Policy_&_Law_Review/Author:Denise_Tomasini-Joshi/Date:December1,2008</ref> In many cases, incoming prisoners are already infected with HIV due to poverty and devastation, conditions that often lead to criminal behavior and unprotected sexual activity.<ref>http://www.plusnews.org/IndepthMain.aspx?ReportId=71089&IndepthId=48</ref> Holding pretrial detainees for prolonged periods of time in the same area as those already convicted is often caused by perpetual overcrowding that can exacerbate the spread of HIV.<ref>http://www.state.gov/g/drl/hr/index.htm</ref> Overcrowding is a real problem, as sixty percent of all countries have admitted that their prisons are over capacity.<ref>http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/detail/98919.html</ref> Moreover, international data indicates that the prevalence of HIV is six to fifty times higher in prisons than that of the general population.<ref>HIV and Prisons in sub Saharan Africa.: Opportunities for Action. http://www.unodc.org/documents/hiv-aids/Africa%20HIV_Prison_Paper_Oct-23-07-en.pdf</ref> Additionally, those who are already infected before imprisonment have a higher risk of dying from HIV or HIV-related diseases in prison due to the lack of medical care. |
| − | Another major cause for concern is the | + | Another major cause for concern is the spread of HIV within the non-prison community. There are approximately thirty million prisoners who are imprisoned and freed every year.<ref>http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/detail/98919.html</ref> Inevitably, a large amount of those released are HIV positive. When reviewing all of the deficiencies that result in HIV, such as education, protection and medical care, it becomes evident that the spread of HIV is not only a health issue but has become a human rights issue as well. |
== Causes of HIV in Prison == | == Causes of HIV in Prison == | ||
