NORTH CAROLINA: 4 of 5 New Prison Inmates Tested for HIV

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

NORTH CAROLINA: 4 of 5 New Prison Inmates Tested for HIV

News and Observer (Raleigh NC) (12.16.08) - Wednesday, December 17, 2008

On Nov. 1, the N.C. Department of Correction launched an expanded screening effort under which the HIV test is offered to every new inmate during intake. According to the department, of 2,163 persons entering state prisons last month, 1,784 agreed to the test.

Inmates are counseled about HIV prior to being offered screening, which they are free to decline. Inmates can also ask for an HIV test at any time while serving their penitentiary sentences.

Under previous procedures, HIV testing was offered to incoming prisoners based on a medical evaluation, or at any time upon request. Before the new initiative was introduced, only about one-quarter of incoming men previously not diagnosed with HIV requested the test.

In the first month of the new testing program, 10 inmates who had not known they were infected were diagnosed with HIV. The monthly cost to treat one infected inmate is estimated at $1,700.
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