NCJ Number
216360
Date Published
February 2006
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This paper presents information and responses on the situation of HIV/AIDS in pretrial and correctional facilities from member states and how they are attempting to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in these facilities.
Abstract
It is evident from responses that many member states regard the spread of HIV/AIDS in pretrial and correctional facilities as serious. In most countries concerted actions and efforts are being implemented to ensure that national HIV/AIDS strategies and legislative frameworks include a specific prison component. In order to limit the spread of the virus, respondents recognize that among measures, efforts need to be made to reduce overcrowding by improving prison conditions and by considering alternatives to imprisonment; ensure access to prevention, care and treatment services; guarantee the right to adequate health care and access to qualified medical staff; provide appropriate training to prison staff; and ensure that adequate funding is received for such efforts. It is recommended that the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice consider addressing measures to reduce overcrowding and violence in prisons by encouraging member states to seek alternatives to imprisonment as a way of preventing the further spread of HIV/AIDS among prison populations. It is also recommended to encourage the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)) member states to seek alternatives to imprisonment as a way of preventing the further spread of HIV/AIDS among prison populations. In 2004, the Economic and Social Council, under resolution 2004/35, requested the UNODC to collect information on the situation of HIV/AIDS in pretrial and correctional facilities, providing governments with programmatic and policy guidance. In 2005, information was requested. This report presents a summary of member states' responses, arranged in several thematic areas (overcrowding, alternatives to imprisonment, prevention, care and treatment, access to healthcare, training, and funding), as well as a brief overview of the Secretariat's own work in the implementation of the resolution.