Researchers
Dr Paul Simpson, Medicine & Health, UNSW
Professor Tony Butler, Medicine & Health, UNSW
Dr Phillip Read, Medicine & Health, UNSW
Dr Vendula Belackova, Arts, Design & Architecture, UNSW
Mr Andrew Heslop, Positive Life NSW
Mr Gary Hampton, NSW Health
Ms Fiona Montroy, NSW Health
Funding
This project was part of the Australian Human Rights Institute’s 2025 seed funding round, receiving $6,250.
Summary
Globally, 4.6% of incarcerated people are estimated to be living with HIV compared to 0.7% of the general population. HIV prevalence rates in Australian prisons (0.2-0.6%) may be up to four times that of the general Australian community (0.14%). Principle nine of the United Nations Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners (1990) provides for access to health services without discrimination on the grounds of legal situation. However, few countries have implemented comprehensive HIV treatment, care and prevention policies or programs in prisons. Australia is no exception; a 2023 review revealed that policies in all Australian jurisdictions fell short of full compliance with UN guidelines.
This project will focus on amplifying the voices and rights of those living with HIV in prison or recently released. This cross-disciplinary research project brings together a consortium of UNSW researchers, NSW local health districts, Justice Health NSW, and Positive Life NSW (a peer-led community organisation). Together, they will capture an in-depth understanding of individuals’ journey of treatment, care, and support in prison and during the 12 months following their release.
Outputs will contribute to enhancing the existing NSW Persons in Custody HIV Community Referral (PiC) Project – an NSW Health project aimed at improving outcomes for people living with HIV leaving prison. It will do so by identifying and understanding the key hurdles, care gaps, and experiences from the perspective of those leaving prison living with HIV. Ensuring continuity of, and retention in, community equivalent standards of care both within prisons and after release is critical for optimising health outcomes and preventing mortality among people living with HIV.
Australian Human Rights Institute seed funding will help support in-depth interviews conducted over twelve months. Nuanced insights into the complexity of navigating dynamic health services and systems will inform data analysis and future publications. This approach has been co-designed with research consortium members and has input from the UNSW Justice Health Research Program (JHRP) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Advisory Group.