Behind Bars: Risk Behaviours for HIV Transmission in Prisons, a Review (From HIV/AIDS and Prisons: Proceedings of a Conference Held 19-21 November 1990, P 89-107, 1991, Jennifer Norberry, Matt Gaughwin, et al., eds. -- See NCJ-132465)

• NCJ Number: 132468
• Author(s): M Gaughwin
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 19 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

Recent surveys of inmates in Australia, the United States and other countries have gathered information about the nature and extent of specific behaviors that increase the risk of HIV and AIDS transmission.

Abstract

The 14 studies conducted in prisons since 1980 have found that male inmates are more likely to have engaged in intravenous drug abuse than in homosexual behavior. Few studies focus on the high-risk behaviors of female inmates. Overall, however, findings consistently show that about one-third of prisoners inject themselves while in prison and that homosexual activity is less prevalent than intravenous drug abuse. Tattooing is another inmate activity that raises the risk of AIDS transmission. Other studies have also found that HIV-infected prisoners are more likely to inject and share needles in prison than non-infected inmates and those unaware of their HIV antibody status. That data show clearly that Australian prisons are risky places and that specific actions are needed to prevent HIV and AIDS transmission in correctional facilities. Appended tables and 45 references