Health in Prisons (HIP) Project - Malawi

This programme involves treating prisoners who have sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other ailments such as malaria and scabies at no cost. In addition, the project involves giving information and education on the prevention of STIs and HIV/AIDS to inmates. The inmates are also informed of various family planning services available in BLM clinics so as to encourage them to access family planning services when out of prison. BLM also disinfects inmates' cells and blankets. Soap is distributed to the prisoners to improve their hygiene in order to help prevent the transmission of other communicable diseases. Finally, BLM provides soccer balls and netballs to the inmates for their recreation.

Another component of this programme is performances by drama groups at the prisons involved in the project. The purpose of these performances is to disseminate messages on disease prevention and family planning services. Prisoners are given the opportunity to ask questions, and information that is provided is consolidated in the form of leaflets and posters.

Health, HIV/AIDS, Family Planning.

This programme represents an attempt by BLM to tap into past experience: it ran the same programme previously, but the programme was halted due to lack of funds.

After a pilot phase of nine months, HIP will be appraised and, depending on its success, Malawi Access to Safety, Security and Justice (MASSAJ) department will consider long-term funding.