Reentry Issues for Offenders Living with HIV

• NCJ Number: 207518
• Author(s): Riki Jacobs
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: New Jersey Institute for Social Justice
• Sale Source: New Jersey Institute for Social Justice
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Prepared for the New Jersey Reentry Roundtable Session Two: Reentry & Public Health January 24, 2003. Downloaded on November 4, 2004.

Annotation

This paper discusses HIV/AIDS among offenders and the care, treatment, and education of HIV/AIDS in the New Jersey correctional system and the specific needs of offenders with HIV returning to the community.

Abstract

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, the rate of AIDS has been higher among prison inmates than in the general population since 1991, with New Jersey having the largest number of reported AIDS-related deaths in prison. This data and recent research indicate the importance of HIV prevention and treatment interventions in correctional settings, as well as health care management of HIV/AIDS upon return to the community. This paper begins by discussing current State and county services and programs for HIV/AIDS offenders under the New Jersey Department of Corrections. Recommendations are presented on how New Jersey could improve the reintegration process for those offenders living with HIV and returning to their community. These recommendations include: (1) requiring HIV/AIDS training; (2) HIV testing prior to release and initiating and providing drug therapy; (3) appropriate drug therapy; (4) assessment of the Department of Corrections adherence to the Roe versus Fauver consent decree; (5) providing inmates with copies of medical records prior to release; (6) if no permanent address exists, arrangements should be made with social or health care agencies to receive the inmate’s mail; (7) inmates receiving Social Security should be advised to inform Social Security of their incarceration; (8) HIV education for families should be incorporated into institutional programs; (9) additional support and education for family reunification should be provided for women with HIV; (10) the matching of State funds with existing Federal funds; (11) public education supporting access to sterile syringe for HIV prevention; (12) a study to assess the rate of recidivism and how chronic and acute health care conditions contribute to the problem; and (13) a study to determine the prevalence rate of those incarcerated.