Parliamentary Question: HIV / Hep C In Prisons

9th October 2002

1337. Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider the contents of the Irish Penal Reform Trust document, A Call for Action - HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C in Irish Prisons; if he will make a statement on the issues raised; and the steps he is taking in response to its findings. [15567/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell): The report referred to, which was published earlier this year, largely restates existing research in the area which was commissioned and previously published by my Department. In particular, I refer to the results of research undertaken by the department of community health and general practice, TCD, and published by my Department in 1999 and 2000 under the title "Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV in Irish Prisoners: Prevalence and Risk". In the context of these and other reports, the Prison Service has been engaged for a considerable period in a process aimed at ensuring access to appropriate health care, including drug treatment, for the considerable number of prisoners at risk due to their substance misuse. In this regard, the Prison Service has actively sought to directly involve community health agencies, both statutory and voluntary, in these developments.
  In particular, there has been a considerable expansion in the availability of methadone maintenance to prisoners who have been in receipt of this treatment from community agencies at the time of committal. It would be intended to further expand the availability of appropriate services throughout the prison system as resources permit.

For many years past, prisoners with a diagnosis of HIV, hepatitis, or other infectious disease have continued to receive medical treatment while in custody in line with clinical recommendations. This medical treatment is generally in line with that available in the community. It has been long-standing practice to refer prisoners suffering from infectious diseases to specialist hospital services and to act on the basis of the clinical advice received. All such treatment is provided on the basis of informed consent and prisoners are free to refuse treatment, though instances of refusal are rare.