Incarceration and HIV The Season for Change Advent Study Week Three

Reflection on Putting Faith into Action ▪ What “challenge” did you take on after last week’s study? ▪ Feel free to share … – Thoughts – Concerns – Challenges – Triumphs

Incarceration by the Numbers ▪ 10.2 million people incarcerated around the world ▪ ~Half of prisoners are in U.S., Russia, or China. ▪ In 15 years, world prison population has increased ~25-30% ▪ Prison populations still growing in 5 continents. ▪ World prison population rate = 144 per 100,000 ▪ Over 15 years, world prison population rate has risen ~6% from 136 per 100,000 to current rate of 144/100,000

Incarceration by the Numbers U.S. holds 1 in 4 of all prisoners in the world. Country # of People Incarcerated in 100,000 United States716 U.S. Virgin Islands539 Barbados521 Cuba510 Rwanda492 Anguilla- U.K.487 Belize476 Russian Federation475 British Virgin Isles460

Overcrowding ▪ Breach of UN standards ▪ Overcrowding – Restricted living space – Poorer hygiene and sanitation conditions – Less time for outdoor exercise – Insufficient bedding and clothing – Diminished quality/quantity of food – Difficulty administering health care effectively – Increased tension/violence among prisoners and towards staff – Increased risk of self-injury/suicide

El Salvador’s Ilopango Prison Women pack themselves onto and even under bunks at El Salvador's Ilopango prison, where overcrowding is typical of the region. Photo Credit: Meridith Kohut for The New York Times

Why So Many? Public Policy Longer Sentences Greater use of Imprisonment

War on Crime and Drugs An Example of Public Policy: Mass Incarceration in the U.S. “Tough on Crime” ,000 imprisoned in U.S Over 400,000 imprisoned in U.S. Most convicted for nonviolent crimes; NOT considered a dangerous threat

Modern Day Jim Crowe Racial discrimination by law enforcement  unequal outcomes across racial groups. Similar prevalence of drugs across racial lines Yet people of color more likely to be investigated/ convicted for drug law violations than whites. *To learn more about systemic racism exhibited by the War on Drugs, visit the following websites.* ;

HIV in Prisons ▪ HIV prevalence in prisons ≈ 2 to 50 times of general adult populations. ▪ High-risk environments – Needle sharing among injection-drug users – Tattooing – High-risk sex – Rape

HIV in Prisons ▪ Overcrowding  Stress, malnutrition, drugs, and violence  inmates’ immune systems weaken immune systems  more susceptible to HIV ▪ Previously diagnosed prisoners find it hard to adhere to treatment regimen –  increased viral load –  immune system declines & increased risk of transmitting HIV to others ▪ The more people are imprisoned, the greater the risk HIV will continue to be transmitted within the prison system.

HIV Outside of Prisons ▪ Mass incarceration removes huge portions of communities ▪ Couples, families, and friendships torn apart ▪ Broken relationships  new relationships established  Increased probability of contracting HIV/STI ▪ Many prisoners contract HIV in prison and unknowingly transmit it when released ▪ The more people are imprisoned, the greater the risk that HIV will continue to be transmitted within neighborhoods most impacted by mass incarceration.

Why Should We Care? ▪ About people infected with HIV/AIDS? ▪ About people in prison?

Advent Reflection & Resources ▪ Visit gbcsumc.info/HIV-Advent to download handouts and additional material. ▪ For additional information, visit the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund website Health/HIV-AIDS Health/HIV-AIDS