Custodial programs progress report

Working with Victorian prison communities has long been a priority for Hepatitis Victoria. For more than 12 years the health promotion team have designed and delivered a range of education programs aimed at educating both staff and prisoners about viral hepatitis. Programs are currently being delivered to 10 different prison sites across Victoria.

The importance of this work can’t be underestimated, particularly as prisoners are at least 20 times more likely to have hepatitis C than someone living in the wider community. This is due to the higher rates of viral hepatitis in the prison system, the increased risks of passing viral hepatitis when living in confined spaces, as well as cultural practices like receiving a ‘prison tatt.’

Expanded focus to educate prison staff very well received

Engaging and meeting the needs of staff was a key success factor in developing a new resource, specifically for prison staff, A Guide to Viral Hepatitis for Staff Working in Prisons. While our prison education programs have primarily focused on engaging with prisoners directly (and continue to do so), it has long been recognised that increasing prison staff’s knowledge would not only provide personal benefit but may also help improve the health and wellbeing of the prisoners. Prisoners are 20 times more likely to have hepatitis C than someone living in the wider community.

“Our view is that a more informed prison workforce will be better equipped to look after themselves, as well as help facilitate improved health outcomes for prisoners,” says Neylan Aykut, Hepatitis Victoria’s Health Promotion Officer responsible for delivering custodial programs.

The first step was to determine what knowledge staff already possessed about viral hepatitis and the currently available programs. A survey completed by more than 300 staff from across all sites found: • Everyone surveyed wanted more education about viral hepatitis. • One in four respondents understood the difference between hepatitis A, B and C. • 1 8% of respondents were aware of the

Statewide Hepatitis Program. • One in 10 respondents were aware of

Hepatitis Victoria’s Hepatitis Infoline.

New resource widely distributed

Armed with this information, Hepatitis Victoria worked closely with Justice Health, the Department of Justice and Community Safety to create a resource for prison staff to try and meet the identified needs.

The end result was an easy to follow booklet: A Guide to Viral Hepatitis for Staff Working in Prisons. Producing the Guide was just the first step. Justice Health have distributed the first 6000 copies to the prison sites, and in addition, all new recruits also receive a copy as part of their induction training.

Want to learn more?

If you are interested in learning more about custodial programs, please contact: neylan@hepvic.org.au