AIDS and Prisons

• NCJ Number: 123222
• Author(s): J Norberry; D Chappell
• Editor(s): P Wilson
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Trends and Issues, Series N 21

Annotation

A serious issue is the possible transmission of HIV/AIDS throughout the community, especially in jails where populations are ever changing.

Abstract

This concern is reflected in recent Australian government initiatives. The New South Wales State Cabinet is planning to empower magistrates to order carriers of the virus to undergo medical surveillance, and the Queensland Health Department is funding a research project which aims to detail the extent of drug-taking and sex among prisoners. This article summarizes the present policies concerning HIV/AIDS in Australia's prison systems, canvasses some important issues relating to its prevention in the prison environment, and stresses the need for effective education programs. 1 figure, 1 table, 24 references. (Author abstract modified)