FEBRUARY 2007 — The HIV epidemic in Indonesia is concentrated among a number of subpopulations, and in the last few years its expansion has been largely driven by injecting drug use. Prisoners are considered to be among those most at risk. This is because a high proportion of inmates have been convicted for drug possession or use and many report use of non-sterile needles (for drug use and tattooing). Severe overcrowding may also lead to unsafe sex among inmates. And health services are not widely available in prisons.

In response to this and other evidence that suggest  growing HIV-related problems in prisons, a number of  risk reduction and HIV prevention interventions have been implemented in prisons since 2005. These include comprehensive risk reduction services and the provision of educational materials (to inmates and staff) as well as antiretroviral and methadone therapy to those who need them.

This report provides a broad outline of the national plan to overcome HIV and AIDS in prisons, activities that have been carried out, and achievements to date, as well as some of the constraints and challenges that program implementers face and plans for follow-up action.

PHOTO: Health Services Program in Pondok Bambu Prison, Jakarta. (FHI/Indonesia)