Civil society? Not yet
In one of his more liberal moments, Winston Churchill said society’s
level of civilization could be judged by its treatment of prisoners. By that
measure, our society still has a long way to go, especially when it comes
to supporting inmates who are HIV positive.
This month we reveal how prisoners living with HIV face a double-whammy of
punishment: punishment for breaking the law and punishment for the ‘crime’
of having a long-term incurable medical condition. While some report ad hoc
improvements, the care and pastoral support available to HIV and hep C positive
prisoners is still poor. Some prisoners report missing meds, harsh treatment
by inmates and healthcare in handcuffs; many are too scared to tell prison
medical staff of their status. One reveals how he was reduced to slashing
his hands and covering them in blood to keep away inmates intent on attacking
him. Disclosure in such a harsh environment can seriously damage health.
Only provision of proper support, treatment and care will encourage hep C
and HIV positive inmates to come forward. An HIV time bomb is ticking away
in UK jails, yet no one in authority is grasping the nettle. Politicians must
stop shying away from ‘difficult’ decisions about providing prisoners
with condoms and clean needles. They must also ensure HIV positive prisoners
get the same standard of medical and pastoral care and rights to confidentiality
available on the outside. Failure to address these basic needs must surely
call into question our claim to be a truly civilized society.
£5 million for a positive future
HIV positive people don’t need to be behind bars to feel imprisoned
by the virus. Isolation, fear of rejection, side effects, low self-esteem,
lipo, stigma, poverty and discrimination can all conspire to lock people living
with HIV in a dark psychological place from which there seems no escape.
Good news then that £5 million is being ploughed into the newly launched
Ensuring Positive Futures (EPF) programme. EPF aims to help people living
with HIV to escape this dark place, restore self-esteem and prepare people
for work if they feel ready. EPF will help a range of people; those ready
to work right now and those who still feel that they are a long way from even
being able to think about a job. In these times of dwindling funding for HIV,
this scheme represents a real chance of escape for many and should be welcomed.
Amanda Elliot, managing editor
More to life than HIV
Observant readers will spot that PN has a fresh new look and a brand new section:
Positive Eye. In these pages PN will take an upbeat look at events, services,
arts, books and products that may go some way to enhancing our lives. Living
with HIV is hard: pills, appointments, illness; you know the score. Positive
Eye will try to highlight those unquantifiable extras that don’t just
keep us alive, but keep us living. To keep the section fresh and relevant
we want to hear what is going on in your life or area. Do you run Buddhist
retreats in East Anglia? Attend drumming classes in Salford? Have you read
a life-changing book? If it has made living with HIV easier for you then let
us know and we’ll tell others. That’s why we’re here. Email
eye@positivenation.co.uk.
David G Taylor, section editor
