NCJ Number
134020
Date Published
1987
Length
2 pages
Annotation
The Consultation on Prevention and Control of AIDS in Prisons was convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in November 1987 and consisted of 37 specialists in public health, prison and medical administration, prisoner care, occupational health, epidemiology, and health policy from 26 countries.
Abstract
The Consultation addressed four main issues: general principles of prison health care, identification of HIV-positive inmates and associated issues, information and education needs of inmates and staff, and management approaches to the health care needs of asymptomatic HIV-positive inmates and inmates with AIDS. The Consultation consensus statement maintained that the issue of AIDS in prisons must be viewed in the context of the overall need to improve hygiene and health facilities in prisons. The principles adopted by national AIDS programs should apply equally to the prison population as to the general community. Prison authorities are urged to adopt appropriate staff and inmate education and drug-user rehabilitation programs. Decisions regarding testing and screening must be made in accordance with concepts of informed consent, confidentiality, and counseling. WHO projections for growth in the number of HIV-infected persons suggest that prison and health authorities will need to devote considerable additional human and financial resources to the management of AIDS in prisons.