Johannesburg — South Africa's Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour has announced a pledge by the United States of more than $600,000 this year to help prisons tackle HIV/AIDS among inmates and officers.

A local newspaper, Business Day, quoted Balfour as saying: "This initiative with the US ably assists us in providing preventative, treatment, care, support and awareness programmes to offenders ... to protect themselves and others against infection within correctional centres and upon their release."

The HIV/AIDS programme in prisons is among the first of its kind undertaken by any correctional services department in Africa.

It is expected to serve as a model for the region in significantly reducing the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and encouraging less risky behaviour in correctional facilities.