Managing the Challenge of HIV

• NCJ Number: 140422
• Journal: Corrections Today Volume: 54 Issue: 8 Dated: (December 1992) Pages: 104,106-107
• Author(s): M Coplin
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 3 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The Maryland Division of Correction made a commitment in 1990 to revise its program for treating and managing HIV infection.

Abstract

Two events prompted the commitment to change. First, in the late 1980's, HIV-negative inmates sued to force the Division of Correction to test all inmates and provide separate housing on the basis of test results. HIV-positive inmates then filed as intervening defendants for a voluntary testing program, nonsegregated housing, and the community standard of care for infected inmates. Second, legislation passed in 1989 consolidated all AIDS-related legislation into one comprehensive AIDS statute. Corrections provisions of the law focus on counseling, automatic partner notification, AIDS education, and mandatory testing of inmates convicted of assaulting correctional officers. These provisions require the Division of Correction to develop appropriate policies and procedures and to restructure portions of its HIV program to comply with the law. Anonymous tests at intake indicate that the 1990 rate of HIV infection was 8.6 percent for men and 15.5 percent for women. To face this problem, consideration has been given to several program elements: procedures for diagnosing, managing, and treating HIV infection and policies dealing with staff training and education, inmate education, counseling, voluntary testing, medical parole, partner notification, contact tracing, and discharge and aftercare services. Drug treatment protocols have been introduced in Maryland prisons, in cooperation with Johns Hopkins University. Additionally, a case management approach has been established to interview inmates with HIV infection 3 months before release or parole to determine specific medical and social services needed to maintain quality care in the community. A planned addition to the prison AIDS program involves a community-based support group of volunteers.