Every year 30 million people are held in prisons globally. According to the latest UNAIDS report, HIV prevalence in prison populations has been estimated to be up to 10 times higher than in the general population. Credit UNAIDS/D. Gutu

The provision of clean needles and syringes in prisons is an important HIV prevention measure. A needle–syringe exchange programme was first established in the Republic of Moldova 15 years ago, at Prison Number 18 in Branesti. Inmates volunteer to run needle–syringe exchange points, accessible confidentially 24 hours a day by all prisoners. Credit UNAIDS/D. Gutu

Today the needle–syringe exchange programme is available in 11 prisons in the Republic of Moldova, providing clean needles and syringes to around 10 000 inmates per year across the country. Together with needles and syringes, inmates have access to disinfectants, condoms and informational materials on HIV and hepatitis, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases. Credit UNAIDS/D. Gutu

Volunteers Andrei (left) and Vasile (right), from Prison Number 18 in Branesti, Republic of Moldova, help run the needle–syringe exchange programme by exchanging used syringes and syringes for sterile ones. Credit UNAIDS/D. Gutu

Opioid substitution therapy has been available in in prisons in the Republic of Moldova since 2005. Evidence shows that delivering opioid substitution therapy leads to significant savings in overall public health objectives and results in safer environments and higher-quality, longer lives. Credit UNAIDS/D. Gutu

Dosage of methadone is performed in a pharmacy outside the prison in Branesti. The measures are strictly accounted for. Credit UNAIDS/D. Gutu

Individual doses of methadone are kept in a container that is then transported to the prison medical centre, where inmates receive their daily dose of methadone under the supervision of a medical doctor. Credit UNAIDS/D. Gutu

An inmate at the medical centre of Prison Number 18 in the Republic of Moldova. Only 8% of people who inject opiates have access to opioid substitution therapy worldwide. Credit UNAIDS/D. Gutu

Ex-prisoner Andrei, 40 years old, is continuing to follow the opioid substitution therapy programme that he started in prison. He says that thanks to the therapy he is well and does not inject drugs. He now has a job and has started a family. Credit UNAIDS/D. Gutu