Academic

Alabama Finally Allows HIV Positive Prisoners To Have Work Release

By Dan Filler

After years actively discriminating against prisoners with HIV,  Alabama prisons have now changed their work release policies.  HIV positive offenders are now eligible for these valuable programs.   South Carolina is apparently alone among the 50 states in banning inmates with HIV from going on work release.

This is a big deal for HIV positive inmates in Bama.   Work release ia an important and highly valued opportunity for prisoners.  Participants are often housed in stepped down security situations.  They are able to earn a bit of money (some of which can even defray the costs of incarceration.)  And the program can ease offenders transition back into society.  That is, work release programs can help reduce the risk of recidivsm. 

We can only guess which of the many grotesque and factually inaccurate assumptions motivated the prior policy.  The ACLU has been fighting this battle for some time and they continue to be concerned about other forms of discrimination against these inmates.  Not to worry, however.  According the Huntsville Times, Richard Allen, head of Alabama's Department of Corrections, reassures us that:

HIV inmates are integrated into the population, other than for sleeping arrangements to prevent transmission of HIV. The inmates are involved in athletics and substance abuse programs and work crews, Allen said, and not singled out for segregation at mealtime.

Not even segregated at meal time?  That's progressive!

Full post as published by The Faculty Lounge on August 14, 2009 (boomark / email).