Sunset Commission told let condoms in prison

Testimony from ACT-UP and AIDS Services of Austin to the Texas Sunset Commission in favor of distrubuting condoms in prison was especially good, I thought. I hope they both put copies of their testimony online. Another ACT-UP member read a letter from a woman infected by her husband who contracted AIDS in prison.

Some 2,600 inmates in Texas have been diagnosed with AIDS, according to testimony, but they account for 40% of TDCJ's pharmaceutical costs. An average of 700 inmates are diagnosed with AIDS each year. (An earlier speaker mentioned that 28-30% of incoming inmates test positive for Hepatitis C.)

ACT UP called for condom distribution in prison, methods for anonymous condom disposal, and rescinding TDCJ rules banning condoms in prison.