The Prevalence Of Hiv Among Offenders - 1750 Words

Current Approaches The escalating incidences of HIV among offenders are primarily the result of their involvement in high-risk behaviours, such as needle sharing and unsafe sex (Dolan et al., 2014). Studies have shown that for various reasons, offenders engage in more frequent high-risk behaviours than people in the general population (Canadian Aids Society, 2000). For example AVERT, an HIV and AIDS charity, states that: â€Å"prison conditions are often ideal breeding grounds for onward transmission of HIV infection. They are frequently overcrowded and tensions abound . . . Release from these tensions is often found in the consumption of drugs or in sex† (AVERT, n.d.) . The sharing of injecting equipment when using drugs is the greatest†¦show more content†¦They have been used by that many different people† (Wood, 2005, p.1834). It is often the case that inmates have no other choice but to share needles/equipment since sterile needles are not made available in federal or provin cial prisons in Canada (Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, n.d.). More often than not, the drug-injecting equipment is home-made, such as converting ball-point pens into needles (Canadian Aids Society, 2000). Although drug use is forbidden inside Canadian prisons, it nevertheless occurs. Studies examining rates of drug use per capita indicate that the use of drugs and drug trade in Canadian prisons is substantially higher than on the streets (AVERT, n.d.). Many prisoners already have drug habits before being incarcerated and they often find ways to continue the drug use on the inside (Dolan et al., 2014). Moreover, a survey carried out by the CSC found that 40 percent of federal prisoners reported having used drugs since arriving at an institution (Canadian Aids Society, 2000). In another study done where federal inmates were interviewed, the majority said that drugs are â€Å"part of the lifestyle† and that â€Å"there is always dope in prison in BC . . . † (Smith et al ., 2009, p.833) . One inmate even said that â€Å" [he] had heroin comin’ in like clock works, once a week. I was using’ [injecting] at least two days out of the week† (Smith et al., 2009, p.834). Despite continuous efforts by prison systems, it is unlikely that any