E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, JUN 30 -

Prisoners languishing in various jails are at a high risk of HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) due to unsafe sexual behaviour and a high number of Injecting Drug Users (IDU).

Presenting a study report on knowledge and state of HIV/AIDS at prisons in Tanahu, Kaski and Chitwan districts on Wednesday, the Network for Children, Prisoners and Dependents (NCPD) said jailbirds in the three districts are highly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, STI and other communicable diseases due to risky sexual behaviours, unsafe drug use and the hygienic condition.

According to Dr. Rang R. Dhungana, one of the researchers, more than 23 percent of IDU prisoners take drugs within the prison premises, often sharing a single needle while 41 percent have anal sex mostly without condoms. "Due to the lack of syringes in plenty and unavailability of condoms, most of them are prone to HIV/AIDS and STI," said Dhungana.

The report, prepared by NCDP--a network of 11 NGOs working with prisoners, states more than 10 percent of inmates have STI, more than 30 percent lack basic information about the modes of transmission and only five percent have access to condoms. "To control the rate of vulnerability, prisoners should have access to condoms and awareness programmes should be conducted frequently," said Indira Rana, Chairperson of the NCDP.

Researchers have pointed out that inmates are devoid of basic needs and are compelled to dwell in an unhygienic environment due to the overflowing facilities. "Every jail has over twice as many prisoners compared to its capacity," said Rana.

Addressing a programme organised to make the findings public, Kamal Prasad Regmi, Director General of the Department of Prison, said the authority was unable to provide necessary facilities and knowledge to the inmates due to the lack of adequate resources. "We have been providing all the facilities that our resources allow," said Regmi, adding that prisoners were compelled to stay in infrastructures developed half-a-century ago.

Posted on: 2010-06-30 09:13

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