ALARMING RISE IN HEPATITIS IN JAILS

THE alarming rise in cases of Hepatitis C in Irish jails is posing a direct
health threat to the prison population and the general public.

A report on the link between intravenous drug abuse and infectious diseases,
due to be published this week, found a growing number of prisoners are
infected with Hepatitis. Many of them are re-entering society without proper
treatment.

The serious viral infection is carried in and transmitted through infected
blood. Hepatitis C can be contracted through the use of dirty needles and
syringes or by coming into contact with infected blood. The deadly disease
can also be spread during heterosexual or homosexual activity.

Labour spokesperson on health, Liz McManus, said the findings of the report,
which was commissioned by the Department of Justice, are worrying and
disturbing and have ramifications for people inside and outside of prison.

"Hepatitis C is now a major problem among the prison population, and there
is also evidence of growing levels of Hepatitis B and HIV. This report
underlines the need for improved health services within prisons. "There is
now a risk of Hepatitis infected prisoners with a history of drug abuse, or
those with HIV, coming in to contact with members of the public, either by
sharing needles or through sexual contact."

While welcoming the research, the Labour spokesperson said it was imperative
all findings were acted upon. "We are in a bizarre situation where there is
no direct budget for prisoner health, and while the service remains under
the remit of the Department of Justice we have no way of tracing infected
prisoners re entering society.

"The setting up of a new prison authority will give us the opportunity to
take the prison health service out of the Department’s control. The service
must be transferred to the local health board or the Department of Health if
we are to improve overall standards and ensure continuity of care."

The report, entitled Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV in Irish Prisoners:
Prevalence and Risk, was compiled by the Centre for General Practise and
Community Health at Trinity College. It examines the relationship between
the rates of infection and the risks to the prison population as well as
gauging the true extent of the problem.

Over 1,000 prisoners, in nine of the country’s 15 jails, were asked to fill
in a detailed questionnaire and provide saliva samples during the two month
project. All information volunteered was anonymous and treated in strictest
confidence.

The report is currently with the Department of Justice and its findings are
expected to be published this week.