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Stemming the epidemics in prisons A shared responsibility. Alice Quedraogo Director Programme on HIV and AIDS in the World of Work International Labour Organization. Current Prison Situation. Up to 10 times higher HIV and TB prevalence in prison than in the general population
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Stemming the epidemics in prisonsA sharedresponsibility • Alice Quedraogo • Director • Programme on HIV and AIDS in the World of Work • International Labour Organization
CurrentPrison Situation • Up to 10 times higher HIV and TB prevalence in prison than in the general population • The risks of HIV and TB to prisoners and prison employeeswouldalso affect theirfamilies and communities • Atpresentthere are very few comprehensiveoccupationalsafety and healthmeasures in prisons • Failure to address the needs of prison staff and prisonersreducesour chance to reach the goal of zero new infections
SharedResponsibilities • Prison authorities have a major responsibilityfor controlling the • HIV and TB epidemics in prison • However, to enable proactive HIV and TB prevention in prisons, authorities must make prison staff • safeand protected • competent and knowleagebale in dealingwith HIV and TB • Knowledgeableand competent prison staff wouldcontribute to reducing stigma and discriminations in prison • The rights-based International Labour Standard- Recommendation 200 provides a framework to facilitateachievinghealth and safety in the prisons
Recommendation 200 • Recommendation 200 applies to all workplacesincluding prisons and • for all prison employees, for example • On employment • Absence of HIV statusis not a pre-condition for employment • Protect the confidentialityof HIV status • Providereasonableaccommodation • Workingenvironmentshouldestablish • Workplacepolicy and programme on HIV and TB • Mechanismfor reportingoccupationalexposures and injuries • Provideoccupationalsafety and healthincluding • Provision of a safeworkingenvironment • Good lighting, natural ventilation, adequate protective gear • (gloves, masks, etc.)
Provision of Equivalent Services • Equivalence: the standard and quality of HIV and TB services in prisons shouldbesame as thoseprovided to the general population • The services shouldinclude • prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for TB and HIV including VCT • Vaccination and treatment of viral Hepatitis • Training and peereducation for prison staff on TB and HIV shouldbegender- responsive, non-stigmatizing, and non-discriminatory
Ministry of Health Ministry of Labour Ministry of Prisons Ministry of Justice • Multi-disciplinary • Partnership Prison Management Trade Unions International Partners: ILO, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNODC and WHO