Deputy Commissioner of Prisons making remarks Picture By KELIN/Ted Wandera
“….Working closely with the partners at this forum we are confident that the opportunities to take forward effective interventions in HIV and TB will lead to strategic partnerships that will contribute towards zero new infections, zero HIV related stigma and zero HIV related deaths for prisons population.”Deputy Commissioner-Prisons.
On 23 July, 2014 KELIN in partnership with the AIDS Control Unit – Kenya Prisons Service conducted a high level breakfast meeting with senior prison officials to discuss their role in preventing new HIV and TB infections and ensuring those infected are accessing treatment in a manner that respects their human rights. The meeting, which was support by UNDP, provided an opportunity for civil society members and development partners to have candid interactive dialogues with senior prison officials. The following key issues were raised;
· Implementation of Article 43 (1) (a) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 that guarantees the right to the highest attainable standard of Health for all.
· Involvement of the Kenya Prisons Service in ongoing processes relating to development of strategic frameworks for HIV & TB.
· The opportunity provided to Kenya through the Global Fund new funding model which has incorporated a stronger human rights component and the need to reach out to key populations such as prisoners.
· The review of the Kenya Prisons Service HIV workplace policy which provides an opportunity for adopting global recommendations aimed at providing evidence-based interventions for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support in prisons settings.
Other issues discussed included provision of condoms to prisoners to help reduce new infections. However, it was agreed that there is need for further deliberations with stakeholders and policy makers on the provision of condoms and harm reduction programs in prisons.
The meeting came to an end with Kenya Prisons Service inviting KELIN and other stakeholders to support them in raising awareness of prison officials and prisoners on HIV and human rights. UNODC Kenya offered to train Kenya Prisons Service on the rights based approach to HIV and TB in prisons to address drug dependency. Partners were encouraged to engage strategically to support the Kenya Prisons Service in strengthening the quality of health services provision in prisons in an attempt to getting to zero HIV related stigma, zero new infections and zero HIV related deaths.
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