HC Deb 21 July 1994 vol 247 c498W
Mr. Boyes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison inmates were found to be HIV positive in each prison; and what counselling is taking place in respect of HIV-positive prisoners.

Mr. Maclean

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Roland Boyes, dated 21 July 1994: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prisoners found to be HIV positive in each prison and what counselling is provided for prisoners in respect of HIV. At 30 June 1994 there were 45 prisoners confirmed to have HIV in the prisons of England and Wales. To protect the medical confidentiality of the prisoners, there locations are not disclosed. There are 207 centrally trained HIV counsellors throughout the prison establishments of England and Wales. Pre and post counselling is offered to all prisoners who are considering having an HIV antibody test, either through prison health care centres or genito-urinary medicine clinics operating within prison establishments.