Advances in HIV Treatment: Administrative, Professional, and Fiscal Challenges in a Correctional Setting

• NCJ Number: 128268
• Journal: Journal of Prison and Jail Health Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: (1990) Pages: 3-12
• Author(s): R M Shansky
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The emergency of HIV and AIDS has created many problems in health care both inside and outside correctional settings. Prisons and jails have confronted additional dilemmas over the acting out behavior of some infected prisoners and the controversies over housing and testing policies.

Abstract

The movement toward routine testing of prisoners presents some administrative concerns: an increase of high risk activity among HIV-negative inmates, increasing pressures to segregate HIV-positive inmates, and difficulties in maintaining confidentiality. Clinical concerns voiced in correctional settings focus mainly on the use of AZT as a treatment for AIDS. Finally, the cost implications of increased testing and treatment must be considered. The Illinois Department of Corrections is considering the use of T4 helper cell test to identify inmates who need treatment and close medical supervision; HIV-antibody testing and counseling will be provided to all inmates within 60 days prior to release. 13 references