Hiv and Aids in Prisons
Running head: HIV and AIDS in Prison
HIV and AIDS in Prisons
Heather Cooper
CJ242
Mr. Thompson
April 24, 2013
Kaplan College-Southeast
Abstract
The following pages contain information on the AIDS and HIV epidemic within the United States prison system. The characteristics of these inmates will be discussed and how well this population adjusts to the environment. There are some treatments and services provided to these inmates in and outside the walls of the prison. The public views are not very friendly, but the criminal justice system is trying to make it easy for the inmates to return back to society with help on how to cope with the disease.
HIV and AIDS in Prisons HIV and AIDS are a serious threat for prison populations in many countries, and presents significant challenges for prison and public health officials within the criminal justice system. The HIV rate among prisoners is 5 to 7 times higher than the general society. The rates are higher among African-American prisoners. (HIV in Prisons and Jails, 2013) In many states the criminal justice programs are trying to find ways to treat the diseases within the system and outside the system when the inmate is released.
Characteristics
In the prison system majority of the population with the disease are female inmates. They are more than likely to be with multiple sexual partners, prostitutes, injection drug users, or people that have received tattoos from unsterile equipment. In 2008, there were about 20,449 inmates that were HIV positive within state and federal prison systems. Nearly half of the infected inmates are housed in the New York, Florida, and Texas state prison systems. Many of the challenges that these diseased offenders face is that not all of the prisons offer HIV testing unless there are symptoms, the inmate is known for injection drug use, or the inmate has another deadly disease like hepatitis C. About fifteen states require HIV testing at the entry level. Some require
HIV and AIDS in Prisons
Heather Cooper
CJ242
Mr. Thompson
April 24, 2013
Kaplan College-Southeast
Abstract
The following pages contain information on the AIDS and HIV epidemic within the United States prison system. The characteristics of these inmates will be discussed and how well this population adjusts to the environment. There are some treatments and services provided to these inmates in and outside the walls of the prison. The public views are not very friendly, but the criminal justice system is trying to make it easy for the inmates to return back to society with help on how to cope with the disease.
HIV and AIDS in Prisons HIV and AIDS are a serious threat for prison populations in many countries, and presents significant challenges for prison and public health officials within the criminal justice system. The HIV rate among prisoners is 5 to 7 times higher than the general society. The rates are higher among African-American prisoners. (HIV in Prisons and Jails, 2013) In many states the criminal justice programs are trying to find ways to treat the diseases within the system and outside the system when the inmate is released.
Characteristics
In the prison system majority of the population with the disease are female inmates. They are more than likely to be with multiple sexual partners, prostitutes, injection drug users, or people that have received tattoos from unsterile equipment. In 2008, there were about 20,449 inmates that were HIV positive within state and federal prison systems. Nearly half of the infected inmates are housed in the New York, Florida, and Texas state prison systems. Many of the challenges that these diseased offenders face is that not all of the prisons offer HIV testing unless there are symptoms, the inmate is known for injection drug use, or the inmate has another deadly disease like hepatitis C. About fifteen states require HIV testing at the entry level. Some require
References: Austin, J., & Irwin, J. (2012). It 's About Time: America 's Imprisonment Binge. Belmont, CA: Wasworth. HIV in Prisons and Jails. (2013, January 25). Retrieved from aidsinfonet.org: http://wwww.aidsinfonet.org/fact_sheets/view Muraskin, R. (2010). Key Correctional Issues. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. Organization, W. H., & UNAIDS. (2006). HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care, Treatment, and Support in Prison Settings. New York : United Nations. Trotter, G. (2011, November 12). Healing the Prison System. Retrieved April 30, 2013, from AIDS FOUNDATION OF CHICAGO: http://www.aidschicago.org/inside-story/394- healing-the-prison-system