Congresswoman Waters Announces Plan to Reintroduce the Stop AIDS in Prison Act During AIDSWatch

Press Release

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), a Congressional leader in the fight to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS through increased prevention, testing, treatment, and funding, announced her plan to reintroduce the Stop AIDS in Prison Act this week. The Stop AIDS in Prison Act requires the Federal Bureau of Prisons to develop a comprehensive policy to provide HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and treatment for inmates in federal prisons.

"The Stop AIDS in Prison Act will help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS among prison inmates, encourage them to take personal responsibility for their health, and reduce the risk that they will transmit HIV/AIDS to other people in the community following their release from prison," said Congresswoman Waters.

The Stop AIDS in Prison Act had 36 cosponsors in the 112th Congress (H.R. 3547). Previously, the bill had been passed by the House of Representatives during the 111th Congress by a voice vote (H.R. 1429). However, the Senate did not complete action on the bill prior to adjournment.

"AIDS is spreading in our nation's jails and prisons. According to the Department of Justice, the rate of confirmed AIDS cases in prisons is 2.5 times the rate in the general population," said Congresswoman Waters. "We need to take the threat of HIV/AIDS seriously and confront it in every institution of our society. That includes our nation's prison system."

Congresswoman Waters plans to reintroduce the bill during AIDSWatch, an annual gathering of HIV-positive individuals from across the country who come together to advocate policies to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. AIDSWatch is organized by the Treatment Access Expansion Project and AIDS United this year, and will take place in Washington, DC, on Feb. 25-26.

Source