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The California Assembly currently is
considering a bill that would allow prisoners to have condoms in their cells.
California Health Care Services said that the cost to treat one patient for
HIV/AIDS is nearly $30,000 per year, not including the cost of staff,
diagnostic studies, and other expenses.
A pilot study undertaken at Solano
State Prison from November 2008 to 2009 examined whether it was more
inexpensive to provide inmates with condoms versus the cost of providing
treatment to inmates with HIV/AIDS. It cost $.65 per condom, or approximately
$220,000 to provide inmates at all 33 prisons with condoms.
According to Joyce Hayhoe, director
of legislation and communications for California Health Care Services, the
condom program would pay for itself by preventing just three cases of HIV/AIDS.
Opponents argue that taxpayers should not pay for condoms so that inmates can
have sex behind bars, especially since it is illegal for them to engage in
intercourse. Currently, the California prison system is treating 1,055 inmates
for HIV/AIDS.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus.
To learn more about The Friends of
AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
