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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Dec 1991

Vol. 413 No. 9

Written Answers. - Segregation of HIV Prisoners.

Patrick McCartan

Ceist:

185 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Justice the reasons for the obligatory segregation of prisoners diagnosed as HIV or HIV positive in the prison system; if he has considered the implications of such a policy on doctor-patient confidentiality where the test is carried out within the prison; if it is intended to continue the policy of segregation where the prisoner requests that they be allowed stay in the main body of the prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The policy of segregating prisoners identified as HIV positive began in 1986 when the first of these cases came to the attention of the prison authorities. Expert advice at that time was that it was best for operational reasons that offenders known to be HIV positive should be segregated.

Last year I set up an expert advisory group on communicable diseases in the prisons to advise on future policies in the area of communicable diseases including AIDS-related illnesses. I understand that among the issues being addressed by the group are doctor-patient confidentiality within the prison system and the question of whether the policy of segregation of HIV-positive offenders continues to be appropriate and advisable. I expect to have the report of the group early in the new year. I intend to consider, in the light of that report, the policies which ought to be adopted for the future.

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