HIV Policies and Practices in Prisons

Toward a Critical Criminology of HIV Criminalization

“…Some of the earliest criminological research on PLHIV's experience in the criminal justice system appeared in journals such as American Journal of Criminal Justice, Crime & Delinquency, Current Issues in Criminal Justice, Journal of Crime and Justice, and Prison Journal, as well as with a special issue of Criminal Justice Policy Review in December 1990. Early literature concerned the carceral setting, noting disparate impacts on women and persons of color (Behrendt et al 1992;Heilpern and Egger 1992;Morse 1990;Vlahov 1990;Wodak 1992). Another area of research involved law enforcement officers, especially after surveys showed officers had genuine fears of contracting HIV (Yearwood 1992).…”

Harm reduction in Australia: has it worked? A review

“…Over half the prison population in Australia, about 14 000 at any one time, are IDUs and about half of these can be expected to share needles during their incarceration which is, on average, about 4 months [76]. It has been estimated that some needles at Long Bay prison complex are in use 30-40 times per day [107]. Recent research on young male IDUs entering prison found an annual incidence of HBV of 21% and of HCV of 41% [99].…”

“…Most prisons in Australia have adopted the seriously flawed "identify and isolate" solution to HIV in prison [107]. Prison needle exchanges have been attempted in only one country and are strenuously opposed by prison authorities in Australia, who have pret:erred educational interventions [107]. Bleach, although biologically and behaviourally imperfect for decontaminating used injecting equipment, is allowed in some prisons.…”