HIV TESTING IN THE PRISONS (2 OF 2)

Human Rights Watch shares the concern about the high number of
HIV-positive inmates in U.S. prisons and jails. Many HIV-positive
inmates are also infected with hepatitis B and hepatitis C, as the
war on drugs continues to incarcerate, rather than treat, people with
a history of injection drug use. Access to testing for inmates is a
must; automatic testing, however, is not, as there is nothing routine
or automatic about receiving a positive HIV test result in a prison setting.

Inmates have a right to make an informed decision about when or
whether to test for HIV, after weighing the consequences, which may
result in transfer, work or program limitations, segregated housing,
discrimination and even violence. Ignorance about one's HIV status
can be addressed in many other ways, particularly through education
about why voluntary testing is important.

Counseling, prevention measures, substance abuse programs and condom
distribution are all sensible approaches that preserve human rights
and promote public health objectives. We understand that Waters is in
the process of redrafting her bill to reflect these concerns.

MEGAN MCLEMORE

REBECCA SCHLEIFER

Human Rights Watch

HIV/AIDS and Human Rights Program

New York