[Prevalence of the use of old and new drugs among new entrants in Italian prisons]. / "Prevalenza" di uso di vecchie e nuove droghe nei nuovi ingressi in strutture penitenziarie italiane.

An epidemiological survey was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of drug use among new entrants in Italian prisons. Overall, 1267 inmates were recruited by 9 prisons. Drug use before imprisonment was reported by 55.8% of the participants. Cocaine was the most commonly used drug (42%), followed by heroin (34%), marijuana/cannabis (33%), ecstasy (7%), hallucinogens (6%), amphetamines (5%); more than one drug was reported by 68% of abusers. Recent use (1 month before imprisonment) was admitted by up to 27% of inmates. Alcohol or tobacco use was reported by 38 and 77% of the inmates, respectively. Our findings indicate that a high proportion of inmates has ever used drugs; adequate intervention is needed to reduce the risk of addictive behaviour in this population group.

[HIV and related infections in Italian penal institutions: epidemiological and health organization note]. / HIV e infezioni correlate negli Istituti Penitenziari Italiani: note di epidemiologia e di organizzazione sanitaria.

HIV and other infections represent an important health problem in Italian jails. In particular, HIV prevalence is high, due to the characteristics of the prison population, which is constituted by a large proportion of injecting drug users and foreigners. In addition, data from other countries suggest that risky behaviour are not uncommon during imprisonment, and transmission of HIV and other infection in this setting may also occur. Data from surveys conducted by the Penitentiary Authority in Italian jails show a decline of HIV seroprevalence from 9.7% in 1990 to 2.6% in 2001. However, these data are largely incomplete and do not account for possible biases due to self-selection of inmates toward HIV serological testing or to variations in the access to screening activities. More accurate data, possibly obtained through anonymous unlinked surveys, are needed in order to better plan health services and preventive measures.