The Zambia Correctional Service Southern Region HIV/AIDS Coordinator says Voluntary advocacy and training in correctional facilities has empowered inmates with accurate information on HIV.

Martin Hankwa explains that all inmates, correctional staff and officers are being provided with education on the transmission, prevention, treatment and management of HIV.

He says the trainings include awareness on behavior that may put them at risk of contracting the virus and knowledge on means of protecting themselves from getting infected.

Hankwa adds that getting tested for HIV in correctional facilities is voluntary but that it is important to note that testing inmates for HIV prior to their release into the community is critical, not only to individuals’ own health care needs, but to the prevention of transmission of HIV to others as well.

He says the re-entry of inmates into the community presents a danger of spreading HIV and other infectious diseases hence the need for adequate HIV prevention and counseling before they are released.

He has however expressed happiness at the overwhelming response from inmates and officers found HIV positive after testing, to immediately commence treatment.