A total of 173 prisoners across Fiji’s correctional facilities are living with HIV, out of an inmate population of 2202, Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) acting Commissioner Auta Moceisuva has revealed.
He said the FCS is working closely with the Ministry of Health, United Nations agencies, and the diplomatic corps to secure funding and training to better address HIV and drug-related issues in prisons.
“FCS correctional facilities are deficient on the infrastructure conducive for the treatment of HIV, exacerbated by the lack of expertise to deal with prevalence of drugs and HIV-positive inmates,” he said.
Mr Moceisuva attributed the rise in infections to drug use, particularly the sharing of needles among addicts.
He said most HIV-positive prisoners were found in larger facilities in Suva, Lautoka, and Labasa and the growing numbers were stretching existing health services because “people entering our facilities are addicted and they are either violent or disconnected and sickly because of HIV”.
Mr Moceisuva said FCS is identifying ways to improve health support in prisons, including enhanced screening, training for staff, and strong partnerships with health authorities to protect both inmates and officers.
