Prisons & detention

Current Issues:

HIV and Hepatitis in UK prisons

A survey conducted by the National AIDS Trust and the Prison Reform Trust among prison healthcare managers across the UK in 2005 raised serious concerns about how HIV and Hepatitis C in UK prisons were being addressed. A third of prisons surveyed had no HIV policy, one in five had no hepatitis C policy and well over half had no sexual health policy. The survey also found that many prisoners do not have appropriate access to condoms, disinfecting tablets, clean needles or healthcare information and so may not be able to protect themselves from HIV if injecting drugs or having unprotected sex whilst in prison.  Read the full report.

Tackling Blood-Borne Viruses in Prisons

In response to the survey, the National AIDS Trust has produced Tackling Blood Borne Viruses in Prison- A framework for best practice in the UK, in consultation with an expert working group, which includes experts in prison health, communicable diseases and genito-urinary medicine, as well as prison governors and representatives from key prisons associations.  This practical guide is a useful tool for those who have responsibilities for the health and well being of prisoners and prison staff in the UK and gives clear direction and examples of what needs to be done to improve the UK's response to blood-borne viruses in prisons, setting out best practice from the moment a prisoner enters the system until after their release.  Download the framework. An evaluation of the framework was complied in 2008, and the resiluts are very positive. Read the evaluation of the framework.

Submission to the European Court of Human Rights on Needle Exchange:

A case has been brought to the European Court of Human Rights, by John Shelley, an ex-prisoner who claimed that the failure to provide clean injecting equipment to drug users in prison violated his human rights. The National AIDS Trust has been granted the status of 'intervenor' by the court and has presented a submission to the court outlining the evidence which supports the introduction of needle exchange in prisons because of the harm minimisation benefits relating to HIV.  Read the full submission.

Key Resources:

• Tackling Blood-Borne Viruses in Prison: A Framework for Best Practice (2007) -a practical guide for everyone with responsibilities for the health of prisoners, giving clear direction and examples on tackling blood-borne viruses in prison.
  
• HIV and Hepatitis in UK Prisons (2005) -A joint report produced by the National AIDS Trust and the Prison Reform Trust introducing the results of a survey on HIV and Hepatitis C carried out in prisons in 2005 and giving recommendations for improving the response to blood-borne viruses in UK prisons.
  
• Submission to the European Court of Human Rights on Needle Exchange -a submission outlining the evidence supporting the introduction of needle exchange in prisons
  
• Tackling Blood Borne Viruses in Prisons- an Evaluation Report - Two thirds of the prisons that responded to the evaluation had either implemented recommendations or were planning to do so in the next six months. The framework praised for its ease of use and comprehensiveness.  
  

To share your thoughts and experiences on tackling HIV and other blood-borne viruses in prison please contact Sheonaidh Johnston, Policy Officer: sheonaidh.johnston@nat.org.uk  020 7814 6729.