The NYC AIDS Housing Network's Parolee Human Rights Project recognizes
the need to improve access to care both inside of prison and upon
release. Therefore, we have been working tirelessly to fight
for the passage of a package of bills on the State level that would
radically improve access to healthcare for New York State inmates.
LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA
A3544
Gottfried (MS) -- Provides for review by the department of health
of policies and practices regarding HIV, AIDS and HCV at correctional
facilities
A3586 Gottfried (MS) -- Includes health care facilities operated or
supervised by the department of correctional services or local correctional
facilities within the definition of hospital
A3720 Gottfried (MS) -- Authorizes the commissioner of correctional
services to develop and implement programs in correctional facilities
to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases
We are working in coalition through the Legislative Action Coalition
on Prison Health in order to get these bills passed.
Legislative
Action Coalition on Prison Health
The
Legislative Action Coalition on Prison Health (LACPH) is a coalition
of more than 40 organizations working together on a long term legislative
campaign supporting a package of bills that would ensure proper
healthcare, HIV prevention and education to inmates in New York's
prison system. The LACPH has been at work advocating in Albany
this legislative session, following up on a heavy lobbying campaign
last session.
While
many of the groups involved have been working on prison heath issues
for several years, the legislative coalition has been steadily gathering
those groups and growing — thanks in large part to the strong organizing
work of the Alliance for Inmates with AIDS. Core members include
the Alliance for Inmates with AIDS, Center for Community Alternatives,
The Correctional Association, Gay Men's Health Crisis, Legal Aid Society's
Prisoner's Rights Project, New York AIDS Coalition, Osborne Association,
and NYC AIDS Housing Network. The coalition works closely with
many supportive legislators.
The
primary piece of legislation the coalition has been advocating
for, A.4204, by Richard Gottfried in the Assembly and S.1840
by Olga Mendez in the Senate, will authorize the State Department
of Health to perform yearly audits of the health care provided in
correctional facilities. Additionally, the coalition supports
a package of legislation that would offer improvements on the healthcare
afforded NY inmates.
As
you may know, the health care provided in our state prisons is not
adequate. Many go without treatment, and health care procedures
can differ greatly in each facility. New York State inmates
suffer disproportionately from serious illnesses, including Hepatitis
C and HIV/AIDS. Of the 65,400 inmates in the custody of the
Department of Correctional Services (DOCS), approximately 10,000 are
infected with Hepatitis C and more than 5,500 are HIV-infected.
With 28,000 inmates returning to the community each year, quality
medical care is not only essential for these inmates, but is also
good public health.
Currently,
Assembly Health Chair Gottfried and Assembly Corrections Chair Aubrey
are working to set up a third joint Assembly hearing on prison health
issues at the end of April in NYC. The Legislative Action Coalition
has participated in two previous hearings held by Gottfried and Aubry.
There is more work to be done. Join
us as we continue to fight for legislation that wins improvements
in the health care afforded NYS Prisoners.
Legislative
Action Coalition on Prison Health |
ACT
UP/NY |
Legal
Action Center |
AIDS
Center for Queens County |
LOLA
— Latino Organization for Liver Awareness |
AIDS
Treatment Data Network |
Lower
East Side Harm Reduction |
AIDS
Service Center |
Lutheran
Social Services Free at Last Prison Outreach |
Alliance
for Inmates with AIDS |
Mano
a Mano |
Bailey
House |
Momentum
AIDS Project |
Breathing
Space, Inc. — Ray Rios |
National
AIDS Treatment
Advocacy Project |
Bronx
HIV Care Network |
New
York AIDS Coalition |
Center
for Community Alternatives |
New
York Civil Liberties Union |
Center
for Comprehensive Care, St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital |
NYC
AIDS Housing Network |
Coalition
of Persons Living with Hepatitis C |
Partnership
for Family Health |
Correctional
Association of
New York |
The
Partnership for the Homeless |
East
NY/Brownsville HIV
Care Network |
Prisoners'
Rights Project — Legal Aid Society |
End
AIDS Now! |
Southern
Tier AIDS Program |
Gay
Men's Health Crisis |
Staten
Island AIDS Task Force |
Harlem
Directors' Group |
STEPS
to End Family Violence |
Harm
Reduction Coalition |
The
Unlock the Block Coalition |
Housing
Works |
Urban
Justice Center |
Incarcerated
Mothers Program |
VIP
Community Services |
Iris
House |
William
F. Ryan Health Center |
Latino
Health Advocacy Coalition |
List
in Progress — March 2004 |
Latino
Commission on AIDS |
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