mass imprisonment

During this week, I will be tracking issues related to criminalization of HIV transmission and the nexus between HIV and imprisonment.

This morning, activists from around the world met at the global village to draft a document entitled “Criminalizing HIV Transmissions: 10 Reasons Why It’s Bad Public Policy." Stay tuned for the release of the document later today.

These advocacy efforts currently taking place at the IAC reflect a commitment by activists around the world to raise the profile about institutionalized state violence facing the most marginalized and vulnerable populations who are disproportionally affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

In the U.S. - as in most parts of the world - racial, sexual and gender minorities, immigrants, sex workers, drug users, homeless people and those currently and formerly incarcerated face overwhelming social discrimination, exclusion and stigma. This marginalization is compounded in no small measure by high imprisonment, criminal sanctions against sex work, the persistence of draconian drug sentencing policies in certain areas of the country and institutionalized homophobia that heightens vulnerability and hinders effective HIV/AIDS prevention efforts.  read more »