A TOTAL of 1 101 South African prisoners died of HIV/Aids in the first seven months of this year, an increase of 328% over the same period last year, Correctional Services Minister Ben Skosana said on Tuesday. Documentation provided by Skosana during a briefing of journalists and diplomats at Parliament showed that the number of prisoners known to be infected by HIV/Aids at July 31 stood at 4 368 – 36% more than the 3 209 a year earlier. Personal and environmental hygiene within prisons is compromised by overcrowding, Skosana said, and a high turnover of awaiting-trial prisoners made it difficult to provide effective screening and treatment programmes. Skosana said prisons were about 60% overcrowded, with 168 497 inmates sharing facilities meant for 105 016. – AFP