AFEW: Annual Report 2001/2002 >> HIV prevention and health promotion in prisons

Annual Report 2001/2002

HIV prevention and health promotion in prisons

The Russian incarceration rate is among the highest in the world with more than 1.2 million inmates in the system4. Currently, more than 36,000 PLWHA are imprisoned – more than 15% of all registered cases of HIV in the RF – mainly on drug-related offences. Most inmates as well as general and medical prison staff, have little or no knowledge of HIV/AIDS. This often leads to high risk sexual and/or drug use behaviour among inmates and the complete isolation of infected prisoners.

Education and outreach

A four-year pilot programme, 'HIV Prevention and Health Promotion in the Russian Prison System,' was designed in close co-operation with the Russian Ministry of Justice and regional counterparts. The programme started in July 1999, and includes the development, production and distribution of HIV/AIDS related information materials to target groups inside and outside the prison system, extensive training every four months among these groups on HIV/AIDS, peer education and pre- and post-HIV test counselling, condom and bleach distribution, outreach work in prisons, and the stimulation of co-operation between prisons and regional governmental and non-governmental structures.

The programme targets inmates, medical and non-medical prison staff from eight prisons in four regions in the RF, and staff from municipal health services and NGOs in four selected regions from the Ural Mountains to Siberia. Similar programmes are currently being developed in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Selected Outcomes from the HIV Prevention and Health Promotion in Prisons Project in 2002:

• Training sessions:
  • 13 training sessions took place for 233 inmates;
  • 8 training sessions took place for 135 medical professionals;
  • 7 sessions were conducted for non-medical prison staff;
  • 1 seminar was organised for security staff; and,
  • 1 seminar on fundraising was carried out.
• 13 site visits were conducted in 9 different cities.
• 4,000 copies of a one-hour video documentary on health promotion inside prisons was produced in close collaboration with the Russian Ministry of
  Justice.
  Each prison in Russia (1,061 in total) received three copies of the video, accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the Federal Ministry of Justice.
  
• 46,720 condoms, 516 litres of bleach, and 96,000 bleach tablets were distributed to 33 prison colonies and 6 pre-trial detention centres.
• The following information materials were produced:
  • Booklet for prison staff, 'Rate your risk' – 15,360 copies
  • Manual on HIV/AIDS in Prisons (WHO, MSF, PRI, AFEW) – 9,000 copies
  • Brochure for male inmates – 45,080 copies
  • Brochure for female inmates – 17,635 copies
  • Leaflet 'HIV infection' – 40,000 copies
  • Flyer 'I am the same' for females – 10,000 copies
  • Flyer 'I am the same' for males – 40,000 copies
  • Checklist on pre- and post-HIV test counselling for medical staff – 3,000 copies
  • Guidelines on pre- and post-HIV test counselling – 65 copies
  • A reader with key articles on health promotion in prison – 1,000 copies
  • 2003 calendar for prisoners – 40,000 copies.