HIV/AIDS in prisons

HIV/AIDS in state and federal prisoners was more than 2.5 times higher than that in the U.S. population. Approximately 46 per 10,000 prison inmates were estimated to have confirmed AIDS compared with 17 per 10,000 persons in the general population.[19] At the end of 2006, approximately 22,000 state and federal prisoners were HIV-positive or had confirmed AIDS; 1.6 percent of male inmates and 2.4 percent of female inmates in state and federal prisons were known to be HIV positive or have confirmed AIDS. New York, Florida, and Texas housed nearly half of the inmates known to be infected.[19] Twenty-one states reported testing all inmates for HIV at admission or at some time while in custody. Forty-seven states and the federal system reported testing inmates if they have HIV-related symptoms or if they requested an HIV test.

Trend data indicate that the overall number of HIV-positive state and federal inmates has decreased from 22,676 to 21,980. Whereas 16 states reported a decrease in the number of HIV-infected prisoners, 25 states reported an increase. Texas reported the largest increase and New York posted the largest decline in HIV-positive cases.[19] HIV/AIDS statistics from other countries also show that HIV/AIDS in prisoners is much higher than in the general population.[20]

HIV and AIDS in places of detention

In many countries, the groups most vulnerable to HIV are also groups at increased risk for criminalization and incarceration, as many of the same social and economic conditions that increase vulnerability to HIV also increase vulnerability to imprisonment. As a result, in some countries the populations with the highest rates of HIV infection are also disproportionately represented within the prisons. In countries where the injection of drugs is present, the prevalence of injecting drug users in prison will be high.

In prison, there is a high risk of transmission of HIV and other infections. Prisons are frequently overcrowded and characterized by an atmosphere of violence and fear. Even though sexual activity is forbidden, it nevertheless occurs in prisons. As within the general community, despite the control measures implemented, illicit drugs are circulating.

Tensions abound. Release from these tensions, and difficulties of prison life, is often found in the consumption of drugs or in sex. Often condoms are not available. When drugs are injected, needles and syringes-being scarce, illegal and difficult to hide-are almost always shared, carrying with them a high risk of transmission of infectious diseases.

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Tattooing is also common in prison, part of the subculture, but in the absence of clean equipment can also be a factor of transmission. Health, dental and gynaecological services are often poorer and not always safe as it relates to the risk of transmission of infections.