How can we reduce HIV in Kamiti Maximum Prison?

Prison sexuality consists of sexual relationships between prisoners or between a prisoner and a prison employee or other persons to whom prisoners have access. Since prisons are usually separated by gender, most sexual activity is with a same-sex partner.

Twitter user @Gichy_ posted this thread a few days ago: HIV negative prisoners become positive within months in jail after several sexual encounters within themselves and its wild. This shocking scenario takes place in Kamiti Maximum Prison. The identity of the inmates talked to are not being revealed for security reasons, and to protect those who are HIV positive. So the story is about 2 inmates, initially held at Kamiti main, were separated on security grounds. The younger inmate was transferred to Naivasha, “because they were practising homosexuality. The younger inmate was being sexually exploited by the older inmate”. The older inmate has been using his lawyer to file court petitions to ensure, both he and the younger inmate “remain at Kamiti prison even when they don’t share any legal matters”.

So this old one was always looking forward to feast on that young inmate. The first petitioner (older inmate) refused to appear in court purportedly because the second petitioner (younger inmate) was not transferred back to Kamiti main from Naivasha,” This petition was filed through a lawyer. It is interesting that a petition was filed by the first petitioner using his lawyer and he included the second petitioner with whom they don’t have anything in common, not even being in the same station or sharing a case. When convicts are taken to prison for the first time, they are tested for HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis. Inmate 2 tested negative when he went to prison and after two years, tested positive. His prison horrors began when he was taken to Kamiti. Men fought over him. “In jail, it’s husbands and wives, not boyfriends, lovers or partners. The terms are used openly, without shame”. The newcomer may also be in a state of denial, confusion, or lonely and this makes them easy prey. In prison, no comfort is too little and something as simple as a mattress is used to lure inmates into homosexuality. After a few days, the younger inmate begins opening up to his newfound, “guardian”, who promises solutions. “The older inmate will even lie he knows several lawyers who can file an appeal and secure the release of the younger inmate,” added inmate 3. Upon winning his confidence, the older inmate will gradually start to pull away, and will make it appear like a transfer to another prison is imminent and the younger inmate may have to endure hardships. The younger inmate may also be accused of misbehaving, and threatened that the privileges will be withdrawn. Should he want to continue enjoying the privileges he has to meet the terms of the older inmate. The comfort comes at a cost and the cost is sex. For fear of the unknown, the younger inmate gives in to the demand.

The older inmate takes the newcomer to a block in the prison, where his friends sleep. Encounter has been christened “breaking virginity” or “flying to the outside world”. The younger inmate is assured the act will remain a secret and because he is getting everything he wanted, the cycle continues until there is no longer need to hide it. It became obvious the younger inmate had several sexual partners, the older inmate would gradually lose interest in him and court a newcomer. When they are transferred to other prisons, the HIV continues to spread among prisoners. Listen here you people, don’t even think of committing a crime. You gonna get passed around like a in a cypher event. Stay law abiding citizens. A condom is considered contraband in prisons and when it is successfully sneaked in, a packet of three — which usually retails at Sh40 outside — goes for Sh200. Pesa itatoka wapi? So guys run raw trains in each anytime of the day. Government doesn’t want to give condoms because nobody wants to admit there is homosexuality. The authorities fear that allowing condoms will be a way of endorsing the vice. Kenyan prisons have been known to have the most cruel life and homosexuality is not the only way HIV is spread. Cases of rape are rife. Worse gang rapes and many prison fights are because of “husband-wife” in cells. According to an official prisons are designed to confine and punish criminals. “Prisoners cannot start dictating that they want to be given conjugal rights and asking for condoms. When we agree with such cheap talk, we will be encouraging immorality.” Ukienda jela shida zako. Apart from eating cabbage and ugali, you’re set to be someone’s wife.