NCJ Number
137927
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1990) Pages: 288-305
Date Published
1990
Length
18 pages
Annotation
In examining the epidemiology and dynamics of HIV transmission, this paper aims to debunk several myths about AIDS that relate to criminal justice.
Abstract
Many persons working in criminal justice hold unfounded beliefs about AIDS transmission. These individuals actually face a minimal risk of HIV infection from assaultive seropositive offenders. In many cases, this risk approaches zero. Female prostitutes rarely transmit the AIDS virus to their male customers, and the risk of HIV infection is minimal for almost all female rape victims. Further, available evidence indicates that the rate of viral transmission in the prison system is quite low and that many intravenous drug users have responded to the threat of AIDS by modifying their high-risk behavior. A clearer understanding of facts about AIDS transmission can lead to more informed policy decisions. For example, if actual risks associated with a bite or spitting incident are more widely understood, courts may be less willing to impose lengthy prison sentences in these cases just because the offender is infected with HIV. Likewise, victims of such assaults may become less concerned with learning the HIV antibody status of the offender, and the same holds true for rape victims. Recognition of the apparently low level of institutional HIV transmission may be helpful in the area of correctional policy as well. Realization of the fact that institutional HIV transmission is not a common occurrence may lessen political pressures encountered by prison administrators to segregate seropositive inmates. 59 references and 19 notes (Author abstract modified)