Blood-borne viruses

Support is available if you have been involved with the criminal justice system and you are either living with a blood-borne virus or if you are at heightened risk of contracting one.

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The following information has been provided by Waverley Care.

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Waverley Care’s Prison Link Service

Our Glasgow-based Prison Link service aims to connect people in prisons living with, or at risk of, blood-borne viruses (hepatitis C and/or HIV), or those seeking sexual health advice, to a support network as they approach, at the time of, and following their release.

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Service Overview

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The goal of the Prison Link service is to link people to comprehensive support after they leave prison, raise awareness about harm reduction, ensure they stay committed to treatment and care for their BBV, therefore reducing the risk of drug-related deaths during the high-risk period post-release.

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Through our Prison Link service, we

• Provide one to one support to people who are at heightened risk of a blood borne virus or who may be living with hepatitis C and/or HIV, both before and after their release.
• Focus on helping recently released individuals stay connected to services after their  release. Many with short sentences often lose support, therefore this assistance ensures they continue their BBV treatment, care and support.
• Provide sexual health advice and support, and signpost to other sexual health services if there is a need.
• Partner with prisons, healthcare and justice projects to provide education, testing and support     for BBVs and safer drug use. We also offer education sessions in prisons when allowed.
• Carry out BBV testing in communities at risk of hepatitis C or HIV due to drug use. This testing is part of the Glasgow WAND Initiative, which aims to reduce drug-related harm and overdose deaths among people who inject drugs.

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For more information please click on the link - Waverley Care is Scotland's HIV and Hepatitis C charity

Referral Criteria

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People living in four prison establishments across Greater Glasgow & Clyde with HIV/hep C or those who have a current link with a justice system within 6 month period residing in the community can be referred to our Prison Link service. Referrals are accepted from HMP Barlinnie, HMP Low Moss, HMP Greenock, HMP Lilias, community organisations and healthcare partners; self-referrals are also accepted.

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Referrals can be made through contacting Wendy.Cooper@waverleycare.org