LUSAKA, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Zambian prisons has continued to rise, Zambia News and Information Service (ZANIS) reported on Wednesday.

    Prison Service HIV/AIDS Focal Point Person Senior Assistant Commissioner, Fredrick Chilukutu cited overcrowding and illegal sex among inmates as factors fueling the spread of the pandemic among inmates.

    He was speaking at an HIV/AIDS workshop for senior prison officers in Lusaka on Wednesday, the ZANIS said.

    Chilukutu urged the officers to prioritize inmates' health through the provision of professional and qualitative medical care.

    Speaking earlier, Home Affairs Acting Permanent Secretary James Mfula said the government was aware of the overcrowding in prisons and was devising mechanisms to arrest the situation.

    Deputy Commissioner of Prison, Diane Nalupya, said the workshop would translate into the launch of the prison service workplace HIV/AIDS policy, according to ZANIS.

    Nalupya further said the commission was conducting workshops for inmates and staff and sponsored officers to pursue medical studies aimed at reducing, halting, and reversing the pandemic.

    A survey conducted between 1995 and 2000 revealed that about 2,400 inmates and 260 prison staff died of AIDS-related illnesses, ZANIS said.

    The high infection rate in prisons has been attributed to the risky behavior of inmates such as tattooing, sharing shaving equipment, drug abuse and illegal sex.

    The workshop attracted 30 participants from prison headquarters and regional commands.