AIDS in Jail (From American Jails: Public Policy Issues, P 116-128, 1991, Joel A Thompson and G Larry Mays, eds. -- See NCJ- 165482)

• NCJ Number: 165489
• Author(s): J E Lawrence; V Zwisohn
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: Nelson-Hall Publishers
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter reviews the development of AIDS-related programs in New York State jails and offers recommendations for corrections officials.

Abstract

Based on the demographic and epidemiological trends of the 1980's, it is increasingly evident that a large and growing HIV pool is cycling through the criminal justice system. Some studies have estimated that 40 percent of those inmates newly admitted to jail and prison with HIV infection will become ill during incarceration, and the rest will be discharged back to their communities, many without having been diagnosed. Jails have an enormous stake in achieving at least nominal management of HIV/AIDS in a cost-effective manner. This requires a planned, comprehensive approach. The essential elements of a comprehensive jail system for the management of HIV disease in jail are early detection and diagnosis, medical management, inmate classification, transmission risk reduction, education and training, and resource allocation. Early detection and diagnosis involve the HIV antibody test and admission health screening. Medical management includes admission physical examination, medical follow-up and treatment, nutrition, and psychosocial services. Inmate classification involves distinguishing apparently healthy HIV-positive inmates, ill or debilitated inmate HIV/AIDS patients, and seriously ill high-risk inmates. For transmission risk reduction, correctional personnel should be aware of the risks attendant to any inmate contact. Knowledge of the precise nature of an individual inmate's medical diagnosis is less important than knowledge of safety precautions to be taken when interacting with inmates during the various operations that comprise correctional supervision and security. Training and education of both inmates and staff should provide the basis for behavioral restraint, accurate knowledge, and mutual respect. Resource allocation consists of the development of a network of medical expertise and the maintenance of close communication with facility medical providers.