This report is intended to fulfill this goal by increasing: •. knowledge and understanding of legal and human rights issues related to HIV and HCV prevention and harm reduction in prisons; •. awareness of the many enabling polices and the best and promising programs for prison HIV and HCV prevention and harm reduction that exist in Canada; and •. the capacity of governmental, non-governmental and [...] Together, human rights guarantees and international guidelines can steer the development of HIV and HCV prevention and harm reduction policy and programming in prisons, and can also serve as a framework within which to examine the responses of governments and prison authorities to the threat posed to prisoners by blood-borne viruses such HIV and hepatitis. [...] This report is intended to fulfill this goal by increasing: •. knowledge and understanding of legal, ethical and human rights issues related to HIV and HCV prevention and harm reduction in prisons; •. the capacity of government, non-governmental and community organizations, and prisoners to address these issues; and •. involvement of government, non-governmental and community organizations, and pr [...] One of the purposes of the strategic directions will be to propose ways for prison officials to more effectively share 8 Hard Time: HIV and Hepatitis C Prevention Programming for Prisoners in Canada information and expertise about HIV and HCV prevention and harm reduction policy and programming, and to encourage implementation of a supportive policy environment and best practice programs both with [...] In the subsequent sections of the report that examine specific HIV and HCV prevention and harm reduction policies and practices, these human rights norms will be brought to bear on the analysis of the situation of prisoners at risk of HIV and HCV infection and of harm reductions programs designed to protect the health of prisoners.