Pubdate: Tue, 22 Apr 2003
Source: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (Canada Web)
Copyright: 2003 CBC
Contact:  http://www.cbc.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1412
Note: Audio link - http://www.cbc.ca/clips/ram-audio/brosnaha_wr030422.ram
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)

HIV RATES 10 TIMES HIGHER IN PRISONS

TORONTO - A federal government report shows HIV and hepatitis C infection 
rates in federal prisons are rising and at least 10 times higher than in 
the general population.

The Correctional Service of Canada prepared the report last year but never 
released it. CBC News obtained a copy of the report.

The report, the first of its kind, suggests that 1.8 per cent of inmates in 
federal prisons have HIV. About one-quarter of all inmates have hepatitis C.

The rates are significantly higher among female inmates. Close to five per 
cent have HIV and more than 40 per cent have hepatitis C.

Among male inmates, the highest infection rates are in Quebec.

The report says those rates are likely under-reported, since only about 
one-quarter of all inmates undergo the voluntary testing.

It says most of the infections are likely caused by sexual contact and 
sharing needles to inject drugs.

People who work in the system say programs like those in the outside 
community are needed to reduce the risk.

Prisoners have limited access to condoms and bleach, and some have been 
prescribed methadone for heroin addiction.

An AIDS specialist who has worked in the prison system for more than 15 
years says that's not enough.

"We need needle exchange and adequate drug rehab programs and neither of 
these are in place at the moment," said Dr. Peter Ford of Queen's 
University in Kingston, Ont.

A committee set up by the Correctional Service of Canada recommended 
starting a needle exchange in prison four years ago, but this report says 
there are no plans to do that.

The report recommends better tracking and early diagnosis, saying that can 
improve the inmates' health and reduce health-care costs in the long term.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom