What is the Prisons Hep C Helpline?
The Prisons Hep C Helpline is an additional service provided
by the already existing Hep C Helpline. The Prisons Hep C
Helpline provides up-to-date, accurate hepatitis C information
in an anonymous, non-judgemental environment. The
Helpline intends to supplement information and support
already provided by the Department of Corrective Services
(DCS) and Corrections Health Service (CHS).


What resources are offered to callers?
The Prisons Hep C Helpline makes referrals to appropriate
DCS or CHS services as well as to services available in the
general community.
Each caller is offered a free HCV information pack, and
information on many specific aspects of hepatitis C is sent out
as requested.
We provide some resources in bulk, free of charge, for health
care workers to distribute within their own area, and also offer
a free video library service. Our website is also an excellent
source of up-to-date information. For a full listing of available
resources, please contact the Hep C Helpline.
Prisoners can become a member of the Hepatitis C Council
free of charge. Concession rates are available for people who
are on government pensions or who are experiencing
financial hardship. Council members receive our quarterly
magazine The Hep C Review which always has some prisonspecific
content, other information mail outs and most
importantly contribution to the community response to hepatitis C in NSW.

Background
Prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) in prisons is
high. In evidence presented to the 1998 NSW
Parliamentary Inquiry into hepatitis C it was
noted that “prisoners with hepatitis C are doubly
marginalised, doubly stigmatised” and that
prisons are “the real hot spots for hepatitis C
transmission”.
In 1996 the NSW Inmates Health Survey
reported that 39% of inmates were hepatitis C
antibody positive. In more recent research
inmates of 22 prisons in NSW were tested, of
whom 47% were HCV positive.
Other research indicates the prevalence to be
approximately 33% among male inmates, and
approximately 66% among women prisoners.
The prevalence of HCV among inmates who are
injecting drug users is approximately 80%.
Recognising the need for information and health
promotion messages on hepatitis C to be
provided by a variety of means, the Hepatitis C
Council of NSW, in partnership with the
Department of Corrective Services and NSW
Corrections Health Service, has developed the
Prisons Hep C Helpline.

What types of calls do we take?
The Helpline takes between 3,000 & 4,000 calls each
year, ranging from a few minutes to more than an hour
in length.
Most calls are requests for information. Calls involving
support with lifestyle issues, and the social and
emotional aspects of living with a chronic disease, are
the second most frequent type of call.
Calls involving referral on to other services also form a
large part of our service provision, and we have over
1,000 individuals and agencies on our database to refer
people on to if required.
The Prisons Hep C Helpline does not offer legal advice,
welfare assistance, financial assistance, a visiting service
or case management. We do provide referrals to
appropriate agencies that can provide these services.


What types of calls do we take?
The Helpline takes between 3,000 & 4,000 calls each
year, ranging from a few minutes to more than an hour
in length.
Most calls are requests for information. Calls involving
support with lifestyle issues, and the social and
emotional aspects of living with a chronic disease, are
the second most frequent type of call.
Calls involving referral on to other services also form a
large part of our service provision, and we have over
1,000 individuals and agencies on our database to refer
people on to if required.
The Prisons Hep C Helpline does not offer legal advice,
welfare assistance, financial assistance, a visiting service
or case management. We do provide referrals to
appropriate agencies that can provide these services.
When can callers access the Helpline?
The Prisons Hep C Helpline opens the following hours:
Monday: 9am – 8pm
Tuesday - Thursday: 9am – 5pm
Friday: 10am – 5pm
Outside of these hours a recorded information service is
available.


What are the contact details?
Prisoners can access the Helpline using the Smart Card
system. All calls to the Prisons Hep C Helpline are free
and are not monitored by Department of Corrective
Services staff.
Non-inmates (such as prison staff, inmates’ partners and
family) can call the Prisons Hep C Helpline on 1800
803 990.