AT THE HIV FRONT
by Judy Greenspa
Indiana's HIV+ women prisoners have no ac-cess to any of the new HIV/AIDS
medications, and have no peer education or support programs. The HIV/AIDS
in Prison Project and WORLD (Women Organized to Respond to Life-threatening
Diseases) have been in contact with an HIV+ woman prisoner and sent her
packets of material. However, there must be groups and individuals closer
to Indiana than Oakland, California. These women need your support and help!
If you can write a letter of support or offer resources to HIV+ women in
Indiana, please contact Heather Bonner, #912550, Rockville C. F., RR 3,
Box 281, Rockville, IN 47872-9377. Heather has been incarcerated for seven
years and looks forward to hearing from AIDS activists, prisoner advocates,
and concerned community members.
THE HIV/AIDS in Prison Project at Catholic Charities of the East Bay closed
down February 13, 1998. Over the past 3 years, we have helped win passage
of a compassionate release bill for terminally ill prisoners; helped obtain
compassionate release for over 15 dying prisoners; conducted media campaigns
to raise public awareness about medical neglect and discrimination faced
by prisoners with HIV/AIDS; worked to organize a statewide campaign to bring
attention to the needs of women prisoners; helped found the California Coalition
for Women Prisoners; led in organizing the first N. California HIV Behind
Bars Conference; worked to educate policy makers, service providers and
the community, both statewide and nationally, on HIV/AIDS in prison issues.
THE GOOD NEWS is we will continue our work on a volunteer, part-time basis
as part of California Prison Focus, an organization dedicated to fighting
the repressive and brutal security housing unit (lockdown) conditions faced
by many California prisoners. CPF is adding a special committee on HIV in
prison issues. We hope to continue our advocacy on behalf of prisoners with
HIV/AIDS and women prisoners with serious medical problems. We need:
·Volunteers to help (once a month) answer letters and other correspondence.
·Donations to help with our mailing and phone costs. Make checks payable
to CPF/HIV in Prison and send them to the above address.
·Office supplies and equipment (especially computers and file cabinets).
·Bulk copies of HIV educational materials and newsletters to send to
prisoners who request them.
--You can contact us at HIV in Prison Committee/CPF, 2489 Mission
Street, #28, San Francisco, CA 94110, (510) 655-2931, email: judyg@igc.org
Spring 1998-- N.C.Xpress
-- Archives -- Electrons
to the Editor
