Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 7

Written Answers. - HIV/AIDS in Mountjoy Prison (Dublin).

Trevor Sargent

Question:

257 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, who have been diagnosed as HIV positive; the treatment, if any, they have received; and the measures, if any, she will introduce to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS there and raise awareness about the disease. [3919/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

Individual prisoners' medical files are confidential in the context of the doctor/patient relationship and the information requested in respect of the number of prisoners who may be HIV positive is, therefore, not available.

All prisoners including those who may be HIV positive have daily access to the full range of medical services, including psychological and psychiatric, both within the prisons and at outside hospitals as out-patients or, when necessary, as in-patients.

Regarding measures to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS within the prisons, there is in place, in all of the institutions, a comprehensive integrated education programme. This programme is aimed at raising awareness among prisoners of the facts about HIV and AIDS. It is based on a multi-disciplinary approach utilising the most modern educational aids available including the specially commissioned award winning video "HIV and Aids — The Facts". Community based groups who are active in this field also regularly visit the prisons in order to contribute to the programme and to provide back-up in terms of information and assistance.