Chisinau, April 19 (Infotag). One in ten out of total 204 female inmates in Rusca prison is HIV-positive; the announcement was made Wednesday at a news conference in Infotag organized by International Society for Human Rights.

The Society Chair Liubov Nemcinova said the figures were obtained in December-January via survey studying prison conditions and special treatment of pregnant female inmates and those with infants. The poll contained 127 questions and involved 180 women.

“The HIV-infected are kept and fed alongside other prisoners despite the fact that there are pregnant women and children among them. The most commonly spread diseases (in this prison) are flu, gynecological diseases and angina,” Nemcinova said.

A third of females are convicted of murder, 21% -- of thefts; 42% of them are the first time offenders. Nearly half of the convicts serve 5-10-year sentences and 25% -- 10-15 years.

More than 50% of the Rusca women are single or divorced, 71% have children and 18% have more than one. The Survey has revealed that 60% of them are the high-school graduates or persons with postprimary education level, while 35% have either university- or college degrees, Nemcinova added.

The Prison is substandard in terms of hygiene-and-sanitary conditions with up to 60 inmates sharing one room, no bath, wash dryer and proper canalization. The outdoor toilet is in a dreadful condition, she emphasized.

Over 80% of the interviewed women admitted to have starved; the provided three meals a day course worth 4.75 lei is way below the required norm.

The report has been forwarded to the president, the parliament, the government, the department of penitentiary facilities and international organisations.