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Government pays for HIV/AIDS in prisons

    JOHANNESBURG

    A former inmate who sued South African prison authorities after he became infected with HIV this week won a landmark settlement.

    "My client became infected with the HI virus after being refused condoms by prison authorities. This was a violation of the constitutional rights of prisoners," instructing lawyer, William Kersfoot, told the UN news service PlusNews.

    He said that prior to the 1996 amended prison policies, officials did not educate inmates on the dangers of unprotected sex, and inmates were not allowed condoms.

    "The government needs to implement a strict HIV/AIDS care and prevention policy in its overcrowded prisons," Kerfoot added.

    The South African Institute for Security Research estimates that 41 percent of inmates have HIV/AIDS.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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