Injecting Drug Use Amongst Inmates in Greek Prisons

Abstract

We present a national cross-sectional comparative study of injecting drug use amongst male inmates in Greek prisons in relation to demographic and penal variables. A representative sample of 1,000 inmates were randomly selected from ten correctional institutions. 861 questionnaires were included in the analysis. 290 inmates (33.6%) reported injecting drugs, of whom 174 (60%) had injected while in prison, and 146 (50.3%) had shared sometime while in prison. Inmate injectors were predominately aged 25 to 34 years; they were incarcerated mostly due to drug offences (54.7%) and offences against property (30.5%); they were characterised by a multiplicity of previous sentences and a long duration of total time in prison. Most of the injectors had been convicted for drug offences in the past. Injectors, compared to non-injectors, were more likely to have had an HIV blood test. Regarding their sexual behaviour during the twelve months prior to imprisonment, injectors were more likely to have multiple female sexual partners - other than their wives or regular partners. Results are discussed, in the European context in particular, in relation to the apparent relatively low level of injecting drug use among the Greek population in general yet similar rates of injecting drug use among inmates as in other European countries.

Key Words:

• Injecting drug use
• Imprisonment
• Greek inmates