There are significantly higher rates of HIV infection in UK prisons than in the general population.

Many prisoners are at particular risk, not only because of injecting drug use prior to prison but also because of the risks of transmission within prison, such as sharing needles and unprotected sex.

UK prisons still do not offer clean needles to allow prisoners who are injecting drugs to protect themselves against HIV infection, and access to condoms in prisons is variable and often poor. We are calling for the establishment of a prison needle exchange pilot and improved access to condoms in prisons.

We also want prisoners to be provided with treatment, care and support services equivalent to those in the general community and for confidentiality to be respected.

Find out more about our thinking on prisons here.