Incarceration and HIV

The Season for Change Advent StudyWeek Three

Reflection on Putting Faith into Action

▪ What “challenge” did you take on after last week’s study?

▪ Feel free to share …– Thoughts– Concerns – Challenges– Triumphs

Incarceration by the Numbers

▪ 10.2 million people incarcerated around the world

▪ ~Half of prisoners are in U.S., Russia, or China.

▪ In 15 years, world prison population has increased ~25-30%

▪ Prison populations still growing in 5 continents.

▪ World prison population rate = 144 per 100,000

▪ Over 15 years, world prison population rate has risen ~6% from 136 per 100,000 to current rate of 144/100,000

Incarceration by the Numbers

U.S. holds 1 in 4 of all prisoners in the world.

Country# of People

Incarcerated in 100,000

United States 716

U.S. Virgin Islands 539

Barbados 521

Cuba 510

Rwanda 492

Anguilla- U.K. 487

Belize 476

Russian Federation 475

British Virgin Isles 460

Overcrowding

▪ Breach of UN standards

▪ Overcrowding – Restricted living space– Poorer hygiene and sanitation conditions – Less time for outdoor exercise – Insufficient bedding and clothing – Diminished quality/quantity of food – Difficulty administering health care effectively – Increased tension/violence among prisoners and

towards staff – Increased risk of self-injury/suicide

El Salvador’s Ilopango Prison

Women pack themselves onto and even under bunks at El Salvador's Ilopango prison, where overcrowding is typical of the region.Photo Credit: Meridith Kohut for The New York Times

Why So Many?

Public Policy

Longer Sentences

Greater use of Imprisonment

War on Crime and DrugsAn Example of Public Policy: Mass Incarceration in the U.S.

“Tough on Crime” • 1980- 50,000 imprisoned in

U.S.• 1997- Over 400,000

imprisoned in U.S.

• Most convicted for nonviolent crimes; NOT considered a dangerous threat

Modern Day Jim Crowe

Racial discrimination by law enforcement unequal outcomes across racial groups.

Similar prevalence of drugs across racial lines

Yet people of color more likely to be investigated/ convicted for drug law violations than whites.

*To learn more about systemic racism exhibited by the War on Drugs, visit the following websites.*http://www.drugpolicy.org/race-and-drug-war ; http://www.sentencingproject.org/template/index.cfm

HIV in Prisons

▪ HIV prevalence in prisons ≈ 2 to 50 times of general adult populations.

▪ High-risk environments–Needle sharing among injection-drug users–Tattooing –High-risk sex –Rape

HIV in Prisons

▪ Overcrowding Stress, malnutrition, drugs, and violence inmates’ immune systems weaken immune systems more susceptible to HIV

▪ Previously diagnosed prisoners find it hard to adhere to treatment regimen – increased viral load – immune system declines & increased risk of

transmitting HIV to others

▪ The more people are imprisoned, the greater the risk HIV will continue to be transmitted within the prison system.

HIV Outside of Prisons

▪ Mass incarceration removes huge portions of communities

▪ Couples, families, and friendships torn apart

▪ Broken relationships new relationships established Increased probability of contracting HIV/STI

▪ Many prisoners contract HIV in prison and unknowingly transmit it when released

▪ The more people are imprisoned, the greater the risk that HIV will continue to be transmitted within neighborhoods most impacted by mass incarceration.

Why Should We Care?

▪ About people infected with HIV/AIDS?

▪ About people in prison?

Advent Reflection & Resources

▪ Visit gbcsumc.info/HIV-Advent to download handouts and additional material.

▪ For additional information, visit the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund websitewww.umcor.org/UMCOR/Programs/Global-Health/HIV-AIDS