INMATES IN IRISH PRISONS FACE DRUG ABUSE AND DISEASE

At least 20% of inmates in Irish prisons who inject drugs say they began
injecting while in custody, according to a report by the Department of
Justice, Equality, and Law Reform in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug 19.

The report, conducted by the Department of Community Health and General
Practice at Trinity College, Dublin, was commissioned to investigate the
levels of HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C in prisons. The study involved
nine institutions and found that more than a third of the prisoners had
hepatitis C.

Infection rates were highest among drug abusing inmates: 19% had hepatitis
B, 81% had hepatitis C, and 4% had HIV. Over half the respondents reported
opiate use and 43%, 60% of whom were women, said they had injected drugs.
According to the report, drug abuse equipment was shared by 58% of inmates
injecting drugs. Some prisoners said they did not want to be tested for
diseases because they believed they would be interrogated rather than
counselled.

The Prison Service has welcomed the report.