NCJ Number
124759
Date Published
1990
Length
6 pages
Annotation
AIDS policies related to prisoners pertain to screening, the hospitalization of HIV-infected inmates, confidentiality, and legal issues.
Abstract
As of July 1, 1988, 13 American State prison systems screened entering inmates for HIV antibody. The prison systems that mandate screening have been least affected by the epidemic. Prisons reporting the vast majority of AIDS cases have not adopted screening programs. Regarding health care for HIV-infected inmates, prisons are not financially able to provide the level of care equal to that in the community. Inmates requiring transfer to public hospitals often must vie for scarce beds, and the hospitals are typically in areas where hospital staff are inexperienced in treating AIDS patients. Few institutions protect patient confidentiality; custodial staff are generally informed of such a diagnosis. Legal issues regarding prison policies toward AIDS-infected inmates pertain to the right to privacy and equal protection under law. The World Health Organization has recommended a prison AIDS policy that will treat inmates similar to other sick persons in the community, release inmates with AIDS, mandate nondiscriminatory practices, provide AIDS education for staff and inmates, and require informed consent and confidentiality in testing. Appended statement from the Consultation on Prevention and Control of AIDS in Prisons (World Health Organization, Geneva, November 16-18, 1987), 13 references.