Screening of Prisoners for HIV: Public Health, Legal, and Ethical Implications

Abstract

Inmates are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS in the United States. As a result, correctional health systems have often screened prisoners -- either at entry or while incarcerated -- for HIV. This paper assesses the likely public health impact of such programs and concludes that they can be beneficial so long as screening programs are linked with adequate prevention and treatment. It also assesses the conditions under which screening programs comply with or violate United States constitutional law and ethical norms.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, prisons, prisoners, incarcerated, ethics, constitutional law