Twenty-one prisoners are infected with AIDS in Azerbaijan. These prisoners are receiving anti-retroviral therapy, Justice Ministry Medical Department head Rafael Mehtiyev told Trend News yesterday. Treatment in penal institutions began in late 2007.

Mehtiyev said nine prisoners are infected with HIV and tuberculosis and are receiving treatment. No female prisoners are infected with AIDS, he said. According to the official, HIV testing is conducted when a prisoner enters jail.

Risk group prisoners periodically undergo various surveys, which are confidential. Despite holding educational activities for prisoners to reduce the harms associated with these diseases, the law does not allow giving syringes and other protective equipment to them, the ministry official said.

"A total of 2,224 AIDS patients are registered in Azerbaijan; 34.3 percent are prisoners," the Center for Combating AIDS said. "Most prisoners contracted the disease through intravenous drug use."