Women on the Inside: Incarcerated U.S. Women and HIV/AIDS

Incarcerated women in the United States face a high risk of being infected with HIV and other infectious diseases – either before entry or during incarceration. Female inmates comprise approximately 5-10% of the total U.S. prison population, have a higher HIV antibody seroprevalence than male prisoners (1.9% compared with 1.5%, respectively, in 2008), and are roughly 15 times more likely to be living with HIV than their non-incarcerated female counterparts. Women prisoners also have a higher prevalence of drug use compared to male prisoners and are more vulnerable to gender-based sexual violence and self-harm. Risky behaviors (e.g., injection drug use) place women prisoners at increased risk for HIV transmission while incarcerated. Unfortunately, health services designed for the unique needs of incarcerated women are grossly inadequate, both while imprisoned and upon reentry to the community. States have the authority to regulate women's health care in prisons. As such, in order to address the gender inequity in prison health, it is imperative for public health professionals to gain a better understanding of the unique issues and challenges surrounding the provision of quality correctional health services for women. This presentation will look at state laws that require serotesting before and during incarceration, or upon release. Relevant regulations will also be assessed that cover HIV serotesting in prisons and that uniquely impact imprisoned women's health and health care. Furthermore, an overview of key research findings on HIV among U.S. incarcerated women will be discussed as well as implications for public health programs and policies.