Prison Disease

[Jimd]

New York Times (07/22/2005)
Fighting AIDS Behind Bars
The United States has done relatively little to curtail the AIDS epidemic that rages within the prison system, where the H.I.V. infection rates are many times as high as in the world outside. Strategies for fighting disease behind bars are better developed in Europe, where the World Health Organization is 10 years into a public discussion project aimed at slowing the spread of H.I.V. and other deadly infections in the prison population. The Europeans seem to have grasped the idea that infections contracted behind bars end up back in the broader society when infected inmates get out.

The World Health Organization's most recent update consolidates what the Europeans have learned over the last 10 years and should be required reading for public health and prison officials in this country. The emerging consensus is that prison has become the perfect environment for the transmission of dangerous diseases like tuberculosis, hepatitis C and AIDS because of crowding, unprotected sex among inmates and widespread needle-sharing for intravenous drug use.

The rising infection rates among addicts in general show clearly that merely declaring sex and drug use illegal has not worked. The prison systems that have managed to slow the spread of AIDS have employed drug treatment and "harm reduction" strategies - like offering methadone maintenance and distributing condoms.

Many nations, including the United States, are hampered in the fight against AIDS by a pervasive denial of drug use and sex behind bars. Politicians often argue that harm-reduction strategies can seem to promote illicit behavior.

It's understandable that some prison systems may reject the idea of providing needles to people who use drugs behind bars, even though needle exchanges have proved to be a cheap and effective way to slow the spread of disease in the outside world. But it seems inexcusable that prisons don't pursue other strategies - like testing inmates and educating them about disease - while making condoms readily available to those who want them.

It's not necessary to condone behavior that spreads AIDS. But it is critical to acknowledge that such behavior persists in prisons. The aim must be to slow the spread of disease so as few people as possible get out with infections that endanger society.

[Vincent]

Condoms in a all male facility,

sounds like fun.

[DAYWALKER]

**** JimD...thanks for the reminder :eek:

While posted on Suicide Watch, as I was going to where the inmate was, there was a cell door that had a medical note on it saying,"Do Not Open Cell Or Enter Cell W/O a Mask!"

I asked the Watch 1 LT. WTF that was about and he had no clue. That worried me a bit. When the nurse arrived at approximately 0640hrs. to give my suicide guy his meds, I asked her about the note on the cell door. She had no clue either. :confused:

Typical, eh? :eek: God bless ya Jim :cool:

[The Deacon]

Chad, at least as far is the nurse goes, the new Federal regs that went into effect last year regarding the confidentiality of medical information, may be tying her hands. With respect to the inmate on suicide watch - you, as a CO "need to know" he's suicidal in order to keep him from succeeding at it. You would only "need to know" that the REASON he is suicidal is that he was just told he has AIDS only AFTER being exposed to his body fluids. Same goes for any other transmittable disease he may have. Makes perfect sense to some paper pusher sitting safe and warm behind a desk in DC.

Can't recall any CO ever talking about a needle turning up during cell searches, so I'd venture to guess that, here in NYS at least, IV drug use by inmates is not a major factor in the spread of AIDS, at least in maximum security facilities. Condoms might help, at least where the sex is consentual, but probably have too much potential for abuse to be considered a viable option. Single bunking is probably the most effective solution, but, as a taxpayer, I'd rather spend a few bucks on pine boxes than mega bucks on new jails.

[BBRex]

I'll say that I don't know much at all about the prison system, but it is a rather sad fact that most people seem to believe that incarceration definitely means having to fear for your life and worry about sexual assault. It just seems to me that in that regard, we almost violate the laws against cruel and unusual punishment.

[Jimd]

I'll say that I don't know much at all about the prison system, but it is a rather sad fact that most people seem to believe that incarceration definitely means having to fear for your life and worry about sexual assault. It just seems to me that in that regard, we almost violate the laws against cruel and unusual punishment.

Oh my God! You're right, you don't know much about the prison system. What do you think those "people" are locked up for?

Let me tell you about a few and see if you maintain your views.....
I know an inmate who picked an infant up by it's feet, and swung the child into the walls until the baby's head exploded, spraying the walls with brain matter.

Not convinced? Okay. Another guy I know blew his father's head off with a shotgun. When the police walked in, the lunatic was eating his dad's brains, spooning them from his skull.

Still not convinced? Fine. I know an inmate who is officially connected to 35 murders, unofficially he's suspected in about 65 murders. This man is the devil incarnate, and I mean that literally.

Your compassion, sir, is moving. However, it is not a realistic view to have. The examples, above, are just a very few that I know about. There are many, many more.

Yes, prisons are very unpleasant. Monsters live there, and that's for certain. That's the way it has to be.

[BBRex]

I don't have a thing against prisons being unpleasant. On the other hand, I don't think that being sexually assaulted or attacked should be part of going to prison. The cases you site are of people who are, indeed, either crazy or evil. And they deserve to be locked up for life, no doubt about it. But being brutalized in prison accomplishes nothing with those individuals.

And for those who are in for lesser offenses, it makes them more brutal and callous as well. It gives them reasons to look to prison gangs and crime syndicates for protection on the inside -- setting them up with connections for when they're released. Besides, is being raped a just punishment for being caught stealing? For robbery? You could maybe make a case for rapists deserving to be sexually assaulted, but even then, the punishment is supposed to be time served, a loss of freedom.

Honestly, I don't claim to have good answers. Maybe changing drug laws to legalize marijuana would free up some space. Maybe bigger prisons are the answer, with less human contact between prisoners. The current situation isn't safe for guards or inmates, and something probably needs to change.

[Jimd]

I don't have a thing against prisons being unpleasant. On the other hand, I don't think that being sexually assaulted or attacked should be part of going to prison. The cases you site are of people who are, indeed, either crazy or evil. And they deserve to be locked up for life, no doubt about it. But being brutalized in prison accomplishes nothing with those individuals.

You could maybe make a case for rapists deserving to be sexually assaulted, but even then, the punishment is supposed to be time served, a loss of freedom.

Their punishment does not officially include being brutalized or raped, you're correct. One easy solution: Be sure not to go to prison.

Perhaps it's a matter of "what goes around, comes around". Ironic justice, perhaps. Nothing like seeing someone who killed a child all bloodied up. I file it under the category of "**** happens".

You're right, it's not safe for officers in there. I've watched several of my friends get hurt, and have been hurt myself. And we've done nothing wrong to go through all of that.

[BBRex]

Jimd, I do have a great amount of respect for what you guys and gals do. I just can't help but think that ways that would reduce prisoner-on-prisoner assaults would make it safer for you, too.

[Stuart Ackerman]

BBRex...if YOU knew that being gang raped was the norm in prison, that would sure as nuts keep a lot of people away from crime, no matter how large or small :D

[DAYWALKER]

Chad, at least as far is the nurse goes, the new Federal regs that went into effect last year regarding the confidentiality of medical information, may be tying her hands. With respect to the inmate on suicide watch - you, as a CO "need to know" he's suicidal in order to keep him from succeeding at it. You would only "need to know" that the REASON he is suicidal is that he was just told he has AIDS only AFTER being exposed to his body fluids. Same goes for any other transmittable disease he may have. Makes perfect sense to some paper pusher sitting safe and warm behind a desk in DC.

Hey Paul!

I am VERY aware of the medical confidentiality right. However, I think if it's something that can be transmitted we should know about it...*Just in case* we gotta go into the cell if this person goes nutz, we can TRY to prepare as best as possible to protect ourselves... :eek: I think that was one of the eeriest things I ever saw for some reason. That cell was as quite as a tomb also :eek:

The needle thing Deac' is usually the thinnest paperclips these can get. Use 'em as craft needles or the ever popular tatoo needle...amazing how these guys rig up parts of a walkman and use cigarette ash and pen ink to make tatoos.

God bless :cool:

[DAYWALKER]

[quote="BBRex"]I'll say that I don't know much at all about the prison system, but it is a rather sad fact that most people seem to believe that incarceration definitely means having to fear for your life and worry about sexual assault. It just seems to me that in that regard, we almost violate the laws against cruel and unusual punishment.[/QUOTE]

Hi BBRex,
Zackerty and JimD are correct in their posts. WE do NOT violate any laws regarding "cruel and unusual punishment." Now, if we FORCED the inmates to perform sex acts THEN that is a violation of what you speak of. However, perps who: Kill to get more money for their drugz, rape a child or family member, destroy your property that ya busted your @$$ for to get more drugz or pay off a debt for drugz, or assaulted a loved one to achieve the same, etc...hey, what comes around goes around. "Shoe on the other foot" so to say...Inmates have families also outside the walls, and anyone incarcerated just *might* have done something terrible to one of their family members...Inmates have their own "rule book" to live by while "within". We are there to prevent them from applying their *own* rules, but we cannot catch them every single time...Bottom line:

DON'T COME TO JAIL/PRISON.

Mahalo for your concerns for our safety...it's a weird feeling man...gotta watch our 6 inside AND outside the walls. Take care.

God bless :cool:

[David Lowry]

I think the answer is this:


Horrible criminals need prison time.

People who steal, cheat, do drugs, whatever, need to have their wages garneshed and/or do community service for a LONG time.

Having murderers out on the street while a drug dealer is in a prison is retarded in my mind.

Someone who kills a baby or rapes someone should be in prison. Not some dude that smoked some dope and sold it to some other folks. You get the point.

Now if we had enough room for everyone I'd say put them all in prison.......unfortunately we don't.

[Jimd]

Mr. Lowry does bring up some very valid and thought-provoking points. I believe our prisons should be reserved for the worse criminals, and other measures taken toward the "lighter" crimes.

Our prisons are overflowing, literally. ****, people are killing to get in where I work at! How about you, Chad?

[Gerard Breuker]

I would strongly advise to treat all inmates as if they have a transmittable disease even if no disease is known. That way medical confidentiality is no real issue and it is far saver than relying on possibly inaccurate or incomplete medical information.
If an incident occurs that could have caused a transmission the same holds true which means you should be tested yourself and not rely on medical information about the inmate or inmates. The only thing worse than becoming HIV positive yourself is making your wife positive too.

[Jimd]

If an incident occurs that could have caused a transmission the same holds true which means you should be tested yourself and not rely on medical information about the inmate or inmates. The only thing worse than becoming HIV positive yourself is making your wife positive too.

I agree with Mr. Breuker wholeheartedly.
A number of years ago, I was involved in a fight in the prison; we were breaking up two homosexuals who were fighting. It was fairly bloody (long story, very harrowing, an officer was in jeopardy). Long story short, I was splattered with some of thier blood.

For a year, I had endure blood tests for HIV and other diseases. The waiting for the results was indescribable. My wife and I were advised not to have unprotected sex. The doc also said to put having children on hold.

It was like I was on duty 24/7, with this specter hanging over my head, not knowing if I'd contract this horrible disease that guaranteed a slow death. We had to put parts of our personal life on hold. In short, it disrupted the majority of my life worse than the "normal" stress of working at the prison does. What did I receive for this extra trouble? Not a fu**ing thing! Nothing at all! Not one Goddamn, single, solitary, miniscule iota of anything for my time and trouble.

Sorry to rant, that brought back some feelings that are better left buried. I'm a proponent of releasing one's feelings so they're not internalized, but I have certain things that if I let out fully....well, let's just not go there.