Mandatory HIV testing for Zimbabwe prisoners

HEALTH and Child Care minister David Parirenyatwa has bemoaned the high HIV prevalence rate among prisoners and indicated that government was considering mandatory HIV and Aids testing for serving inmates to contain the scourge.

Speaking at a pyscho-social support conference attended by more than 400 delegates drawn from 20 countries in Victoria Falls yesterday, Parirenyatwa said about 28% of the prison population was HIV positive.

"The [HIV] prevalence rate in Zimbabwe is 14%, but in our prisons it's 28% and that's double. It's the same in all Sadc countries," he said.

"So are the prisoners contracting the virus while still outside or in prisons?

"Should we test everyone coming into prisons [to serve time]? Should we distribute condoms in prisons like in other countries? We hope that scientists will help us on that."

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services is on record saying they would not allow condoms in prisons, claiming this was tantamount to legalising homosexuality.