Inmates and Condoms

In our California prison system HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis C is spreading. Should these inmates have access to condoms to keep themselves and their families safe?

HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that destroys the immune systems helper T-cells, this then cause AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, which makes it harder for the body to fight infections. Patients then often dye from secondary infections like Pneumonia. Hepatitis C, which attacks the liver and is spread by any source of sharing, needles, razors, toothbrushes, unprotected sex, and from mother to child during child birth.

In my two years as a Phlebotomist at the California Mens Colony I watched the new diagnosis of AIDS and Hepatitis C among inmates, as they either tried to ignore or run from it. Because of the diagnosis of HIV and the extent and painful deterioration to the body from this diseases the inmates use suicide as a way out.

I personally started two inmates on their treatment for AIDS after just being diagnosed and came back to work from the weekend off and was informed of their suicides. I’ve seen the positive results of many inmates with Gonorrhea, Syphilis and Chlamydia. I’ve followed the before and after of prison tattooing (abscesses, AIDS, Hepatitis). My original shake off was, “oh well, these guys are criminals and they’ve lost their rights anyway.”

Well as time went on I started thinking about the families these inmates are always talking about. I would overhear and have conversations with these inmates about their families, how much they love them, and how excited they are to visit with them. If one is so excited to see ones family why jeopardize it with such risky behaviors?

In prison there aren’t a lot of choices of how these inmates choose to live once inside; rape and stupidity are two risk factors of just being an inmate. Rape is not always among the gay and transsexual inmates; it is also used as power over the weak inmates or even initiation of new arrivals, a way for payment on an outstanding debt.

I know that sex in prison is illegal, but so is drinking and driving. We just don’t have the manpower to make it stop. I’m sure California could rebuild its prisons so every inmate could have a private cell, but at whose expense, the taxpayers? This would cost billions to a state that can’t even maintain or balance a budget, and most would argue to add more patrols and officers on the outside to prevent all of the illegal activities, then in turn keep these men and woman out of prison to begin with.