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 The robbery was his cry for help. He did not want to die from his disease and did not want people to shame him because of his sexual identity. While incarcerated Burks learned about the disease and how he could receive treatments. When Burks was released he teamed up with Rev. Green who is on the board of directors for the Men and Women in Prison Ministries in Chicago. They are in a fight against the HIV and AIDS epidemic that is being spread throughout the prison systems of Illinois. Green is trying to pass a law that will allow the men and women in prisons to keep condoms in their possession. Green has teamed up with the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and other people willing to fight for the cause. They say that the prisons allowing the prisoners to have condoms is groundwork for better prison and community health for people diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. Green is hoping they can start a pilot program in Cooke County Jail for the inmates who have these diseases. Green says that she realizes that it is illegal for these inmates to have sex in prison but that is not stopping them. She states, “Sex is as natural as breathing. You put a bunch of people in a cage; they’re going to find a way. We should at least make sure they’re safe.” (Trotter, 2011) Burks is now a free man. He lives in the Chicago area with his life partner and helps to educate people about the disease he was cursed with. He has been trying to learn how to reconcile with his HIV status, regain
Prison Varieties There are many varieties of inmates in prisons these days. There are female inmates, male inmates, young inmates, and old inmates. The three I am going to discuss are mentally ill inmates, HIV/AIDS inmates, and gangs in prisons and jails. These interest me most because I feel that they are the most dangerous. This is not always the case but they are interesting topics to me. Mentally ill inmates could range from inmates with bipolar disorders to inmates dealing with depression…
Impacts of HIV/AIDS -Increased use of natural resources: As AIDS-affected rural households lose salary earners and agricultural labor, many are turning to natural resources as a safety net. Hunting, fishing and charcoal making increase as families seek alternative livelihoods. More water, firewood and medicinal plants are consumed by households caring for the sick and timber logging has accelerated in many areas to supply the growing coffin industry. -Diversion of conservation funds for AID costs:…
Disparities in HIV/AIDS Human immunodeficiency Virus also known as HIV is a sexually transmitted disease. It attacks your body's immune system. The virus destroys CD4 cells, which help your body fight diseases. HIV damages your immune system and it leads to acquired immune deficiency syndrome also known as AIDS. AIDS is the final stage in HIV, and it’s a disease where severe loss of the body's cellular immunity occurs. The disease lowers the resistance to infection and malignancy. Anyone can get HIV/AIDS…
Townes does a great job portraying what is happening in the American jail system regarding HIV/AIDS and how two role models, who are HIV positive and previously incarcerated, persevere the stigma and try to actively change the system in a positive way and spreading awareness. The article, Free At Last?, by Glenn Townes is not only inspiring but informative with real time facts about HIV, specifically in a prison environment. Townes writes about Waheedah Shabazz-El, Cathy Olufs, and African Americans…
to convict a person, such as Ken, with homicide offense for passing Acquire Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). First factor is which state Ken resides in. In 2013, there are 35 states that have criminal law that can punish a person who is HIV positive and risking others. Besides which state the offender resides in, prosecutors must prove the person (Ken) knowingly had the disease, knows that HIV can be spread through unprotected sex, engaged in unprotected sex and intend to infect others. In the case…
because basically, it divided everyone up into White's and Non-Whites, giving rights to the Whites and almost no rights to the Non-Whites. The S. Africans were not even allowed to protest apartheid or else they could be whipped, fined, or even put in prison. That really took a big toll on the South Africans because they were not able to live a normal life, everywhere they went there was always places for whites, and non-whites. Gladly, apartheid ended in the 199 0’s because of pressures. Pg. 4…
pump-style shoes to kick the victim, press-on nails to scratch and slap the victim, and HIV+ blood in an attempt to infect the victim with AIDS. BRIEF ANSWER Yes. The indictment can be amended to include a charge of first-degree assault, because the defendant's use of shoes and artificial nails constitute the use of a dangerous instrument for the purposes of N.Y. Penal Law § 120.10. The attempted transmission of HIV through blood does not constitute the use of a dangerous instrument, because of an exception…
12 INCARCERATION AND PRISON SOCIETY Course Outline I. Introduction: The modern prison • Maximum security prisons prior to the 1950s was a massive wall institution • In the South the massive wall were less common as prisoners worked outside on large farms • The 1960s saw a move toward rehabilitation and “correctional institutions” • Since the 1970s minority representation has increased and gangs have raised the level of violence in prisons II. Goals of incarceration…
once a month – Ages 18 to 25 have highest rate of drug use – Ages 12-17 are the second highest Social Dimensions › Drugs and AIDS – Intravenous injection of drugs can spread HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, from user to user. – Most users with AIDS are Heroin Addicts, sharing needles. – Connection between drugs and AIDS is 30% more in the US; in fact the spread of AIDS has virtually stopped between Gays. Drugs and Crime › Statistical Information › Do all drug users cause crime? Drugs and Crime…
are first screened when sent to prison. There are juvenile offenders, drug offenders, aging offenders, and mentally ill offenders. Not all offenders are alike. While they all require housing, meals, supervision, and productive activities, some groups require additional services or care (University of Phoenix, 2011). The way that many of the special needs, mentally ill, and serious substance abusing prisoners affect the jail and prison systems is not all prison facilities are set up to meet the…
