Gay sex rife in prison

09 August 2007- Swaziland- Homosexuality, rape and other forms of sexual violence in prisons have been cited as the main factors causing the high HIV infection rate in African prisons.

However, a study conducted by UNAIDS reveals that despite this status quo, African prisons still provide very little anti-retroviral treatment to prisoners despite the high HIV infection rate. A UNAIDS study has revealed that while most of the sex in prisons was consesual, rape and sexual abuse were often used to exercise dominance in the culture of violence that is typical of prison life.

A UNAIDS study which was unveiled at the 8th CESCA biennial conference at the convention centre at Ezulwini yesterday also states a litany of other factors as being the accountable for the high HIV infection rate in African prisons.

UNAIDS had reported that homosexuality in African prisons were not uncommon, even though there are concerns that the number of reported instances were likely to be lower than the actual numbers due to the denial and criminalisation of homosexuality and stigmatisation of prisoners by society at large.

The study also reveals that rape and other forms of sexual harassment among male and female prisoners was rife in African prisons, between the prisoners themselves and also between prison staff and workers.

“African prisons have very little autonomy in protecting themselves, they have minimal control over such factors as overcrowding that contributes to sexual and other forms violence” states the report.

UNAIDS has also decried the appalling physical conditions of African prisons. The dilapidated infrastructure along inadequate food and nutrition and almost non-existent health services are said to have seriously exacerbated the prevalence of HIV inside prisons.

On the other hand, UNAIDS revealed that another cause of concern in African prisons was the substandard or nearly nonexistent health care. “Prevention commodities such as condoms, sterile needles and syringes, disinfectant for tattooing equipment and information are often seldom” stresses the UNAIDS report. On the other hand, it was also revealed in the study that lack of knowledge and education among prisoners about the risks of contracting and transmitting HIV coupled with the absence of protective means and proper medical care increases inmates’ risks to HIV infection.

UNAIDS had also revealed that tension, frustration and idleness among prisoners were often released through sex and sexual abuse, especially because in most cases prisoners remained unsupervised due to the high overcrowding rate in prisons. On the other hand, Tuberculosis (TB) has also been considered to be a serious health challenge in African prisons. “HIV positive prisoners with TB can easily transmit TB to those who are not infected with HIV”.
 

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