NCJ Number
184991
Date Published
1996
Length
18 pages
Annotation
In March 1996, the Metro DC (District of Columbia) Collaborative for Women with HIV/AIDS conducted an Information Sharing Meeting on case management; this report of the meeting is intended to help incarcerated and recently released women obtain crucial services that can make a significant difference in the quality of their lives.
Abstract
The report advises that women inmates and recently released women living with HIV/AIDS in the metropolitan Washington area are a neglected and forgotten group. Women living with HIV/AIDS in prison and halfway houses urgently need, but often fail to receive supportive and nonjudgmental counseling, education, and specialized medical care. Ideally, discharge planning should begin 6 months before a woman is released from prison. It should include an evaluation of medical, financial, housing, employment, and other needs; an application for government entitlements; preparation of personal identification to secure medical treatment, social services, housing, and employment; legal assistance to reunite women with their children; and dissemination of appropriate information about the woman to her parole officers. For women with HIV/AIDS, this process is especially critical. Discharge planning must ensure that they have access to comprehensive medical care, including gynecological care, substance abuse treatment, and psychosocial supports. This report provides 12 recommendations for improving care for incarcerated women with HIV/AIDS. 2 references