March 25, 2008

Alabama’s HIV-Positive Inmates Denied Work Release

Prisoner advocates in Alabama say the state is the only one in the country that does not allow HIV-positive inmates to participate in work-release programs, the Associated Press reports (ap.google.com, 3/24).

Work-release programs allow inmates to hold jobs outside of the prison during the day. The article tells the story of Kathryn Canty, an HIV-positive inmate who would ordinarily be a top candidate for work release, but was denied it because of her HIV status.

“Work release would have been a great help for me to catch up with technology as well as [save] money to get back on my feet,” says Canty. She is scheduled to finish her four-and-a half-year sentence next month.

According to the AP article, Alabama prison officials said HIV-positive inmates are barred from participating in work programs because the prison system has agreed to watch positive patients take their pills, and also ensure that they are eating properly—tasks that would be difficult to do if the prisoners left the facility for the day. Another official reportedly said that allowing HIV-positive prisoners to work outside the prison could expose them to illness, as well as contribute to the spread of the virus.

Human rights activists, lawmakers and prison advocates have been pushing prison officials to remove the restraint. “I think we’re dealing with a long custom here in Alabama. There’s fear here,” said Margaret Winter, associate director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Prison Project.

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Ann, Pine Bluff, 2008-03-27 11:40:49
Now that sucks. I am sorry, that is so wrong. They have everyright to be able to get on work release to better themselves. That is like punishing them for being positive!