What have you heard about tattooing in prison? The clandestine role of hearing aids in the risk of bloodborne virus transmission

Sia, Huan Jian; Levy, Michael

Cultural advice

The Australian National University acknowledges, celebrates and pays our respects to the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people of the Canberra region and to all First Nations Australians on whose traditional lands we meet and work, and whose cultures are among the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that ANU Library collections may include images, names, voices, and other representations of deceased persons.

Material in the collection may contain terms, language or views that reflect the period in which the item was created and may be considered inappropriate today.

What have you heard about tattooing in prison? The clandestine role of hearing aids in the risk of bloodborne virus transmission

Date

2015

Authors

Sia, Huan Jian

Levy, Michael

Publisher

CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

This report outlines the illicit use of hearing aid batteries as a power source for illicit prison tattooing. We advocate for the introduction of regulated tattoo parlours in prisons so as to minimise the risks of conflating important health interventions with risk activities and minimising the risks of bacterial or viral transmission.