HIV in Prison Settings

In Canada, approximately 2% of the people living in correctional facilities are known to be HIV positive. HIV rates in prison are roughly ten times higher than in the general population. This group also contends with higher rates of Hepatitis C infection.

These high rates of infection, combined with the lack of access to effective prevention programs in prison, put inmates who engage in drug use, unprotected sex and/or tattooing at increased risk for HIV and hepatitis C transmission.

CAS encourages harm reduction programs in correctional facilities and encourages the education of inmates and prison staff on the risks of contracting and transmitting HIV, as well as works with The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) to represent needs at the federal level.

• Prisoner’s Justice Day - August 10th

• HIV/AIDS and Men in Prison