Greenspan J, Jones L, Knuckles Y, Lucey M; National Conference on Women & HIV.
Natl Conf Women HIV Natl Conf Women HIV Innov Care Policy Prev 1997 Los Angel Calif. 1997 May 4-7; 121 (abstract no. 121.1).
HIV/AIDS in Prison Project of Catholic Charities of the East Bay, Oakland, CA.
Issues: Between 1980 and 1993 the rate of incarceration for women prisoners increased by 313%. Women entering the criminal justice system have a history of extreme poverty, sexual abuse, battery, prejudice, and substance abuse. Many enter prison with serious health problems including HIV, TB and hepatitis. Women prisoners suffer inside from discrimination and a lack of basic medical care. Medical neglect combined with the stress of prison life can make a short prison term, a death sentence. Project Description: and Results: Women inside prison have taken the initiative to respond to the epidemic by beginning peer education and counseling programs. The country's model program, ACE, (AIDS Counseling and Education) was begun over ten years ago at Bedford Hills Prison for Women in New York State. Conversations with formerly incarcerated women with HIV show that they have continued their involvement upon release. Advocates in the community have worked for the compassionate release of dying prisoners and supported inside organizing efforts. While some support services have been set up inside prisons, little exists in the way of community-based services dealing with the physical health, psycho-social support, daily survival and legal needs of formerly incarcerated women. This allows the cycle of incarceration and ill health to easily begin again. Implications and Future Goals: Clearly the outside HIV/AIDS support community needs to be made aware of the conditions and needs of women with HIV in prison. Special services need to be developed to support women while they are incarcerated and during their re-entry to the community. The participation of formerly incarcerated women and the voices of women inside are critical to the success of this process. Peer education programs begun by women prisoners need outside support and assistance. Formerly incarcerated women can give testimony to the problems faced by women inside, and can advocate for services on the outside. The involvement of formerly incarcerated women with HIV will successfully strengthen the coalition working for better health care and compassionate release of women prisoners with AIDS and for services that not only address the prevention of HIV and related illnesses, but which also help close the revolving door of incarceration.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Civil Rights
- Counseling
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Services Needs and Demand
- Humans
- New York
- Prejudice
- Prisoners
- Prisons
- Social Support
- Substance-Related Disorders
Other ID:
UI: 102225860
From Meeting Abstracts