Making HIV services more friendly for prisoners

Introducing

An advocate for prisoner rights with advice on how to improve HIV services for prisoners, Lonnie.

Tip one

Provide psychosocial support

Upon incarceration, most prisoners are forced to get an HIV test. But they are not offered any counselling or follow-up support.

Tip two

Supply antiretrovirals (ARVs) consistently

The supply of ARVs is inconsistent. This means people tend to default on their medication.

Tip three

Improve on food quality

A prison diet is not nutritious. This means ARVs are harder to take and less effective. Another reason people default.

Tip four

Advocate for prisoner rights

As a health worker you can use your knowledge to lobby the government for improved health services for prisoners. Ask for health facilities within prisons to be properly equipped, including with enough health professionals.

Tip five

Improve access to HIV information

There is often little access to information on HIV in prisons. Encourage prisons to collaborate with NGOs to provide prisoners with information and support.

How would you improve HIV services for prisoners?

According to UNAIDS, the estimated prevalence of HIV infections among people in prisons and other closed settings increased from 3.8% to 4.3% (between 2017 and 2021). People held in prisons are now six times more likely to be living with HIV than adults in the general population. 

Most prison facilities ask prisoners about their HIV status and offer HIV testing to those who do not know their status. But psychological support and access to HIV treatment are not always available, even for prisoners who already know their status. HIV treatment is provided within prisons. 

In this video, Lonnie, a human rights activist, shares her experience working within prison facilities and highlights the challenges faced by prisoners in accessing HIV services. 

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