Justice

People in custody are at higher risk of viral hepatitis than the greater community. LiverWELL incorporating Hepatitis Victoria has been delivering programs in Victorian prisons since 1998.

More than one in five prison entrants testing positive for hepatitis C, and there are higher rates of hepatitis B too.

People in custody are at higher risk of viral hepatitis than the greater community.

LiverWELL incorporating Hepatitis Victoria has been delivering programs in Victorian prisons since 1998. We deliver:

• Hepatitis education for prisoners and prison and sector staff, including: peer training, Blood Borne Virus, (BBV,) units for Alcohol and Other Drugs, (AOD) programs, health day stalls and presentations and preparing to leave prison sessions.
• Programs to reduce the risk of transmission and increase awareness of and support for people with viral hepatitis in custodial settings.
• The LiverLine a Victorian prison phone system *#09 where prisoners can ring to ask for advice, information packs to be sent – or to request an appointment with the ‘liver nurse.’

Educating prisoners about viral hepatitis through self-expression.

Sione Crawford, Health Promotion Officer talks about the thought behind the project.