Sentenced to Stigma: Segregation of HIV-Positive Prisoners - AL.com

work release centers and programs on an equal basis with prisoners who are notHIV-positive.• Implement harm reduction services consistent with international standards includingcondom distribution, syringe exchange, and medication-assisted therapy forprisoners dependent on heroin and other opioids to reduce the risk of transmissionof HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, as well as hepatitis B and C.• Strengthen and expand HIV/AIDS education, counseling and support programs forprisoners , including peer education, and expand HIV/AIDS education and trainingfor correctional staff.To the South Carolina Department of Corrections• Replace the policy of mandatory HIV testing with comprehensive voluntarycounseling and testing programs that ensure privacy, informed consent andconfidentiality. Ensure that adequate and accurate information, treatment andsupport are provided to inmates testing positive for HIV.To the Governors of Alabama and South Carolina• Support the elimination of mandatory testing for HIV in the state prisons.• Support the elimination of policies that segregate and discriminate against HIVpositiveprisoners.• Support laws and policies that ensure access to voluntary and confidential HIVtesting and comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment services.• Commission an independent review by correctional and public health experts ofstate prison policies and practices that segregate and discriminate against HIVpositiveprisoners, of medical care and treatment models for HIV in prisons, and ofharm reduction programs for disease prevention implemented in other prisonsystems. The commission should include representatives of HIV/AIDS serviceorganizations and advocates, and former prisoners living with HIV/AIDS. Findingsand recommendations should be reported to the Governor and to the Legislature.To the Legislatures of Alabama and South Carolina• In Alabama, repeal state laws that require mandatory testing for HIV in the stateprisons.Sentenced to Stigma 6