New South Wales Corrections Health Service: harm minimisation within a correctional centre — How do we rate?

Abstract

In June 2001‐July 2002 the New South Wales Corrections Health Service was providing a range of health services for approximately 8,000 full‐time inmates. This figure is steadily increasing. A prison environment is a dynamic one and 17,000 inmates have come through our gates in the past year. A prison environment is efficient for transmission of infections such as HIV, Hepatitis C and Tuberculosis, to name but a few.The New South Wales Inmate Health Survey showed that about 80% of inmates have injected drugs at least once in their life, 40% report that they have injected drugs within a week prior to entry into gaol and 20% will continue to inject whilst in gaol. These figures appear repeatedly in both national and international figures. Some 80% of males and 70% of females have a history of illicit drug use.A comprehensive search of electronic databases, journal publications, conference presentations and discussions with experts involved with development of research and policy documents in regard to harm minimisation in a correctional setting was collected for this presentation. This paper attempts to look at a number of intervention strategies both nationally and internationally for prisoners to reduce their risks of acquiring a bloodborne virus. Methadone programs, bleach, condoms and prison‐based syringe exchange programmes are examined. How does Australia rate amongst other nations in reducing the risk?