[Mz K]

Former Washington, D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, now a member of the City Council, wants all inmates in the city jail tested for HIV/AIDS. In a bill he proposed recently, Barry urges that authorities collect blood from inmates, including those convicted of a sex crime, as they enter the D.C. Jail. Following the test, prisoners would be provided counseling, under the bill, which has been stalled in committee since July. “Lives are being lost, breadwinners are being lost, family members are being lost,” a Barry spokesman told The Washington Post. “We need to be doing all that we can in this serious situation.” Barry notes that the District of Columbia has an “alarming HIV/AIDS rate, reminding that at least 3 percent of the city’s residents – some 15,000 people – are living with the virus, the highest known rate in the nation, the Post reports. What’s even more alarming, many experts say, is the number of D.C. residents who don’t even know they have HIV/AIDS. Recent studies have shown that nearly a third of those tested for HIV are inmates at the D.C. Jail. “If you look at how the epidemic is spreading, there is a high prevalence [of the virus] in the jail population,” D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D), one of the bill’s co-sponsors, told the Post. “People are bringing it back to our community, which really is continuing to spread the virus.” Nationally, 21 states test inmates for HIV when they first arrive. Still, most of those only do so with inmates’ consent or upon court order, according to the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics. “Since 2006, when the voluntary HIV testing program was launched, 99 percent, or more than 27,000, inmates have opted to take the test.” the Post writes.

Some warn that Barry’s plan could actually deter inmates from participating in voluntary testing. “Our fear is that if you put in place a mandatory program, you not only have very little to gain but you may actually be undermining a good program that we already have in place,” said Walter Smith, executive director of D.C. Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, a public policy organization that supports HIV testing but opposes the bill. Both D.C. Corrections Director Devon Brown and HIV/AIDS Administration Director Shannon Hader said they oppose mandatory testing.

[Mz.Anonymous]

I think that they should make the hiv testing mandatory because these guys are sleeping together in jail and then when they get out and may be infected they sleep wife their wife/girlfriend.Its much better to know your status.In jail or outside

[BlueSerenity]

why did i think this was already being done....I strongly believe that everyone should know their status and that you shouldnt be ashamed or embarrased about asking ppl theirs if they approach you...

[Tisha701]

It's obvious that if someone is having sex (gay and/or unprotected), they are putting themselves at risk for catching an STD or HIV. And while I believe everyone should get tested and know their status, I don't believe people should be forced to do something commonsensical. Besides, just because people know their status doesn't necessarily mean they will disclose their status to their partners.

Does anyone remember the Trashman... he claimed to infect 15,000 women with AIDS. Even though it was all made up, it was based on fact. Some women don't ask for "papers," and are quick to have unprotected sex... even with all the education and information on AIDS that's been out there for decades.

So, unless everyone who's positive is being branded with a "scarlet letter," I don't see the efficacy of this program. People will continue to engage in risky behavior... which is something that this (and no other) program can ever fix.

[Mz K]

I somewhat agree but on the other hand SOME would actually becareful...inmate don't get tested even if they ask i believe unless you're sick you don't see a doctor whenever you want to you know?

I could be wrong i don't know any inmates to be asking but i think that's how it is

[Mr. Marcus ™]

I think that it is common sense to test inmates ...

regularly ...

[Jamaicangal1]

they should do that. Its worse not to know that to know. at least if they now they would have common sense to tell their partner, get treatment and NOT have un protected sex

[MrCee]

Originally Posted by Mr. Marcus ™

I think that it is common sense to test inmates ...

regularly ...

I agree......it should be common as knowing your blood type

[liltsangie]

Originally Posted by Tisha701

So, unless everyone who's positive is being branded with a "scarlet letter," I don't see the efficacy of this program. People will continue to engage in risky behavior... which is something that this (and no other) program can ever fix.

so true