The Status of HIV/AIDS Management Strategies in Correctional Settings in Kenya: A Case Study of Lang'ata Women and Kamiti Maximum Prisons

Abstract

The study examines how the transmission of HIV/AIDS is mitigated by Kenya Prison Service and is guided by four objectives: (a) To measure the perception of Kenyan prisoners on the scourge of HIV/AIDS in prisons; (b) To assess the capacity of Kenya Prison Service in the prevention, control and management of HIV/AIDS in Kenyan prisons; (c) To identify the common practices of managing HIV/AIDS in Kenyan prisons and (d) To evaluate the efficacy of HIV/AIDS management in Kenyan prisons. A survey research of 142 inmates was conducted in 2012/2013. Of these, 98 (69%) were males from Kamiti and 44 (31%) were females from Lang'ata prison. The findings of the study show that, a) More than half 79 (56%) of the total sample in the prisons studied self-reported being infected with HIV b) the reported prevalence of HIV/AIDS is higher among the male respondents as opposed to their female counterparts and c) mean duration of imprisonment was 6 years 2 months. This is not surprising noting that the study was carried out in maximum security prisons where long term inmates are incarcerated. This implies inmates were more knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS. The main obstacles to effective implementation of HIV management programs in Kenyan prisons include a) high prevalence of HIV by inmates; b) lack of clear and proper mechanism of identifying the HIV-positive inmates; c) congestion in prisons; d) poor access to health care services; e) inadequate knowledge about HIV; and f) lack of elaborate discharge planning programs.