Incarceration, Addiction and Harm Reduction: Inmates Experience Injecting Drugs in Prison

• NCJ Number: 210448
• Journal: Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 40 Issue: 6 Dated: 2005 Pages: 831-843
• Author(s): Will Small; S. Kain; Nancy Laliberte; Martin T. Schechter; Michael V. O'Shaughnessy; Patricia M. Spittal
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined inmates' HIV risk linked to injecting drugs inside British Columbia (Canada) prisons.

Abstract

A sample of 26 male ex-inmates who had recently used drugs in prison were recruited from an ongoing cohort study of injection drug users in Vancouver, Canada. Interviews conducted in 2001/2002 focused on experiences while in prison and the ex-inmates' personal perceptions of risk for HIV infection. After identifying themes from the first interviews, follow-up interviews focused on confirmation of the accuracy of interpretations of the initial interview. The interviews determined that due to correctional policies that deny inmates access to sterile syringes, the few syringes used secretly by inmates are passed around continuously in large sharing networks. This scarcity of syringes underlies HIV risk behavior among inmates, and the distribution of bleach is an inadequate solution due to factors that reduce the likelihood of proper syringe decontamination. These findings emphasize the need for developing effective harm-reduction programs that offer an effective response to the risks of injection drug use among inmates. 32 references