Dealing with HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis infections at Corradino Correctional Facility : an educational programme for prison inmates

Abstract

HIV I AIDS and viral hepatitis infections prevail in pnsons worldwide. This study investigates the importance of implementing an educational programme for inmates residing at CCF as a preventive strategy for the spread of these diseases. By means of in-depth interviews carried out with a sample of ten ex-inmates, a set of sensitising issues derived from literature are explored. Amongst these are the inmates' involvement in high-risk activities. The interviews revealed the occurrence of unsafe homosexual practices, sharing of needles/syringes during drug abuse and physical assaults on correctional staff. Although their rate of incidence was not explored, their occurrence is enough to validate the presence of risks for HIV I AIDS and viral hepatitis transmission in prison. The findings also suggest that inmates have inaccurate knowledge about these diseases and their route of transmission which generate fear and discrimination towards infected inmates. This is confirmed by the ex-inmates' opinion about segregation. Preventive strategies were discussed with the ex-inmates. They were against condom and bleach distribution in prison but eagerly concorded on mandatory blood testing and educational programmes. Several recommendations were made including the implementation of an educational programme for prison inmates which is similar to the one being proposed in this study to impart knowledge and thus induce behavioural change.