Barbara Lee Introduces Bill to Prevent Spread of STIs and HIV in Prisons

Statement

This week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced H.R. 2704, The Justice for the Unprotected against Sexually Transmitted Infections among the Confined and Exposed (JUSTICE) Act to allow prisons to provide condoms to incarcerated peoples. The JUSTICE Act also calls for automatic reinstatement or reenrollment in Medicaid for people who test positive for HIV before reentering communities. Congresswoman Lee released the following statement:

"As we mark the 30th anniversary of the first discovery of AIDS cases in the U.S., we can no longer afford to ignore the reality that sexually transmitted infections can be spread within our correctional system. I introduced The JUSTICE Act to provide a comprehensive response to the spread of STIs in correctional facilities."

"Among confirmed AIDS cases in prisons, minorities account for the majority , with African-Americans 3.5 times more likely than Whites, and 2.5 times more likely than Hispanics to die from AIDS-related causes.

"Without uniform prevention, testing, and treatment programs, incarcerated persons living with HIV or other STIs can unknowingly infect others.. Often left untreated, incarcerated persons with STIs are frequently in the more advanced stages of their disease, and once released can be even more costly for the public health system to treat."

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