AIDS-PREVENTION IN EUROPEAN PRISONS

Informations on HIV/AIDS in prisons which include 32 prison-systems in 17 European countries have been collected. The principle of equivalen ce of preventive measures and health care between prisons and the outs ide community, prison authorities should strive to prevent HIV transmi ssion in prisons. There have been major developments in effective prev ention programmes in the community there has been less progress within the prison-systems. Information on AIDS is provided to prisoners in a lmost ail prison-systems. While condom distribution is practiced ina g rowing number of systems, no prison systems have adopted syringes/need le distribution or exchange during incarceration. A few system have ac cepted distribution of a disinfectant (diluted bleach) with instructio n on cleaning injection materials. Despite clear recommendations made by international bodies in 1987/88, it must be concluded that discrimi nation and segregation (restriction from access to workshops, speciall y work in kitchens) remain widespread in 1992.