The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) aims to achieve “zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths and zero discrimination” by 2030.
These targets include people living with HIV who are incarcerated in prisons (who are also more likely to be infected with hepatitis C virus and tuberculosis) and who must have access to antiretroviral treatment like everyone else.
Prisoners in prisons have the right to the highest attainable standard of health and accessible medical services, including services for the treatment of HIV, hepatitis C and tuberculosis, without discrimination.
According to a 2020 survey conducted by the Convention on Non-Discrimination and Equal Treatment of HIV, 2,300 prisoners in Spanish prisons received antiretroviral treatment.
The Spanish Constitution enshrines the right to protect our health, and for those in prison, they must have equal access to health benefits with the rest of the population.
These laws specifically protect women living with HIV in prison institutions, guaranteeing them access to the same gender-specific health services as in the community, and requiring a woman to be examined or treated by a health professional if she requests it.
According to data provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, approximately 30 million men and women are deprived of their liberty every year around the world.
The organization noted that globally, the prevalence of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis B and C, and tuberculosis is 2 to 10 times higher in prison populations, and in some cases up to 50 times higher. .General population (especially women).
Additionally, the potential for exposure to all these infections can also impact prison facility staff and inmates’ home environments.
Main precautions
UNAIDS has proposed 15 prisoner-related HIV prevention and treatment interventions, and the overall implementation will be more effective.
1 – Information, education and communication.
2 – Condom use plan.
3- Prevent sexual violence.
4-Drug Addiction Treatment.
5- Needle and syringe supply program.
6 – Preventing transmission in medical and dental services.
7- Prevent spread through tattoos, decorative body piercings, and other forms of skin penetration.
8 – Post-exposure prophylaxis.
9 – HIV counseling and testing.
10 – HIV treatment, care and support.
eleven– Tuberculosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
12- Prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
13- Prevent and treat sexually transmitted infections.
14- Vaccination, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis.
fifteen– Protect people from workplace risks.
Medical ethics must always guide all health interventions in isolation settings, and the consent of those receiving treatment must always be obtained.
Likewise, it must be considered that people in prison will return to the community at some point, so health in prison must become part of overall public health.
It is the responsibility of the government to integrate prison centers into national HIV, tuberculosis and drug addiction treatment programmes.
source:
HIV and people in prisons and other places of imprisonment – Human Rights Information Booklet Series (unaids.org)
Plan_de_Prevencion_y_Control1.pdf (sanidad.gob.es)
HIV in prisons | Social Contract on HIV (pactosocialvih.es)
HIV prevention, treatment and care in prisons and other settings of confinement: integrated interventions (unodc.org)