Prison Guards Complain of Working Conditions

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Prison Guards Complain of Working Conditions

United Press International (10/28/93)

Crescent City, Calif.--Correctional officers at Pelican Bay State Prison in California have filed a complaint accusing the state of failure to protect them from the human waste of inmates, which is often pitched at them from cells. The waste is a health threat to the guards because it may contain blood with infectious agents, such as HIV and hepatitis, contend some 800 guards at the maximum-security prison. The case was closed, however, when the agency concluded that the complaint was not under its jurisdiction because there was a lack of evidence proving that waste carries such infectious diseases. The guards have asked the agency to reconsider and to cover cell doors with plexiglass to block waste from hitting them as they pass. Pelican Bay Warden Charles Marshall said that the proposal is not feasible because it would impair the climate control functions in the cells. He noted, however, that the department provides face masks for correctional officers, and disciplines prisoners who repeatedly throw waste at the guards.

931029
AD931962

Copyright © 1993 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1993. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1993. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.