NCJ Number
140495
Journal
Texas Police Journal Volume: 40 Issue: 11 Dated: (December 1992) Pages: 4-8
Date Published
1992
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Among the law enforcement community, the Federal law requirement that medical information regarding HIV/AIDS infection be kept strictly confidential is widely challenged, particularly by officers who work in county jails.
Abstract
Some officers and supervisors believe that inmates would infect officers if given the opportunity and this opportunity is more likely to arise in jail than on the street. The law also requires correctional staff to educate inmates about HIV and AIDS, but this is problematic given the high inmate turnover in most jails. Several inmates interviewed for this article expressed deep concern over their own protection from HIV infection, but had little interest in receiving preventive education. Jailers are not allowed to routinely test inmates for HIV infection. Jail physicians and prison officials have been subject to extensive litigation over the rights of HIV/AIDS patients and the rights of uninfected inmates. Many police officers believe the law should require disclosure to all law enforcement, civilian personnel, and others who come into close and potentially confrontational contact with HIV- infected inmates. 12 references