HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis epidemic in prisons

INFECTION levels of HIV and Hepatitis C have reached epidemic proportions in prisons, according to a new report.

The rate of Hepatitis C among prisoners is more than 100 times higher than in the general population and the level of HIV more than 10 times higher. One in four prisoners is infected with Hepatitis C, the potentially fatal liver disease. The rate rises to 50% among female prisoners.

“Make no mistake. This is a crisis,” said Rick Lines, author of A Call for Action: HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C in Irish Prisons. “Rates of HIV and Hepatitis C have reached epidemic levels in Irish prisons.” Mr Lines said prisons’ problem was also society’s problem.