Being “in prison” for HIV & AIDS, a memorable experience!

Though the end of year 2006 is still four months away, yet the most unforgettable three hours I had spent this year was in one of the most unusual places – the Maximum Security Prison at Ikoyi, Lagos. It was such an exciting, challenging and emotional experience that I wish to go back again and again.

The day was August 26, 2006 and it was a beautiful Saturday morning as necessary arrangements had been made for the planned HIV & AIDS outreach program for the inmates at the prison. It was organized by the Youth Internship programme of Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS), in collaboration with the Treatment Action Movement (TAM) Lagos and Nigeria Youth AIDS Programme (NYAP) Lagos.

After going through the rigorous but necessary security checks and brief introduction to some of the inmates, the program eventually commenced with the auditorium packed to the full. It was not the usual programme for many of us and we were excited and surprised that in spite of the challenges associated with the environment, the event was very well packaged and implemented by the inmates.

The uniqueness of the program was in the receptiveness and enthusiasm shown by the inmates throughout the program including a very high display of intelligence and maturity.

The inmates, who were members of the prison Anti-AIDS group, did a great job in educating the audience about HIV & AIDS through a drama and song presentation. The drama which was the highlight of the event was quite unique as it was role-play containing basically all the necessary information about HIV & AIDS. The drama specifically discouraged stigma and discrimination against People Living with HIV & AIDS (PLWHA) and encouraged Prevention, Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT), Treatment, Care and Support especially for HIV-positive Men having Sex with Men (MSM).

So, though it was a successful program, yet I left with more questions than answers and that is the more reason why I want to go back again. The facts are:

- Some of the inmates are HIV-positive either before or during imprisonment;
- Some are having unprotected sexual intercourse especially men having sex with men;
- Sooner or later some of these inmates either HIV positive or not will be released and will go back to their families or eventually have one.

The question is, what are we going to do to:

- provide appropriate information, skills and resources to ensure that the inmates protect themselves from contracting HIV;
- Provide Voluntary Counselling and Testing services;
- Ensure that inmates who test positive to HIV have adequate access to treatment and are not being stigmatised;
- Ensure continuity and sustainability in the prevention and treatment services offered to inmates who are either released or still in prison?

These and many other facts and questions above are those that have kept me awake and made me decide to want to go back again knowing fully well that at least one more person will have the right information to protect himself and also see my friends bound together only by HIV & AIDS.

Mayowa Joel
Phone: +234 803 334 5378
Email: mayowajoel@yahoo.com