Switzerland and Voluntary Services Overseas hosts a regional conference on health in prisons in Southern Africa

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The conference on health in prisons in Southern Africa is urging governments to improve prison conditions especially for juveniles and youth. — Switzerland and Voluntary Services Overseas hosts a regional conference on health in prisons in Southern Africa © Embassy of Switzerland in Zimbabwe.

Civil society organisations, government departments and individuals working in collaboration with prisons and correctional services in Southern Africa are attending the conference to share notes on ways to improve access to HIV/AIDS and AYSRH services.

Guest of honour at the event, Zimbabwe’s Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Permanent Secretary Mrs. Virginia Mabhiza said there is need to adopt and implement policies on health reform in order to address the challenges of healthcare provision in prison settings.

“Prisons in Zimbabwe and the Southern Africa Development Community region are overcrowded and remains one of the epicenters of the global HIV epidemic. Though SADC constitutes much less than five percent of the global population, it is home to about 20 percent of the people living with HIV in the world,” Mrs Mabhiza said.

Prison occupancy levels in the region average 138 percent, housing altogether an estimated 336 000 prisoners. Anecdotal HIV prevalence in prison seems much higher than the prevalence rate in the general population.

As a result of this regional context, Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has been working with VSO in seven countries – Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Lesotho, eSwatini and Mozambique to improve coordination and collaboration in the implementation of prison policies and procedures; enhance accessibility of strategic information on HIV and AIDS and improve access to decent prison infrastructure and life skills training for subsequent reintegration of women, men, boys and girls upon their release from incarceration.

The health situation in prisons which is not only limited to Southern Africa but across the continent has continued to deteriorate, posing a danger to inmates and society since prisoners go back to their communities upon release.

“The overcrowding in most prisons is both alarming and cause for great concern. In more than 115 countries, prisons are overflowing and this makes it unhealthier,” Clive Ingleby, the lead adviser for the health programme for VSO said.