NCJ Number
162716
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 29 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1996) Pages: 20-28
Date Published
1996
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Because hepatitis B and C viruses continue to spread in Victorians at risk of incarceration, risk behaviors for these infections were studied among 51 prisoners in the central Victorian prison with a history of injecting drug use; 33 were also interviewed about their tattooing experiences.
Abstract
An existing longitudinal followup of injecting drug users (IDU)'s in Victoria was extended to follow IDU's in Pentridge Prison and to obtain information on HIV and hepatitis risk behaviors. Questionnaire data were entered into a database, and statistical techniques were applied in data analysis. Results showed that about half the prisoners had injected inside prison during the preceding month an average of 5.5 times. Almost all prisoners shared inadequately disinfected equipment, with no way of knowing how many had previously used the equipment. Almost all prisoners had been tattooed, with 60 percent having at least one while in prison. Only four prisoners reported having had sex while in prison. The need to decrease risk behaviors for bloodborne viruses is stressed, with particular emphasis on the feasibility of controversial strategies such as needle and syringe exchange programs and the provision of sterile tattooing equipment. 24 references