Vol.18 No.15 - A Messy Problem - THE AIDS DILEMMA: SHOULD TESTING BE MANDATORY?

Sep 29, 2026

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A Messy Problem examines a crisis in the Arlington County, Virginia jail after inmate Jerome Baker tested positive for the AIDS virus, following an alleged bite by another detainee. The coverage highlights policy needs for prisoner testing, housing infected inmates in overcrowded facilities, and safeguarding uninfected inmates. It also questions whether incarceration implies a possible death sentence, given the fatal nature of AIDS, and reports related legal and medical positions and public debate.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

A Messy Problem...

THE AIDS DILEMMA: SHOULD TESTING BE MANDATORY?

Arlington County case points out jail problems

Incidents and legal motion

AMA endorses AIDS tests for inmates

Bennet urges isolation

Vol.18 No.15 ## A Messy Problem... THE AIDS DILEMMA:SHOULDTESTING BE MANDTORY?HOW DOYOU PROTECT HEALTHY INMATES? Arlington,Va.,Case Points Out TheProblems Facing Jails,Prisons By Betty B.BosargeManaging Editor,Washington Crime News Services The Arlington County,Va.,Sheriff's Depart-ment is dealing with a problem that may soon beconfronting most of you if it isn't already -aninmate who has tested positive for the AiDS virusafter being bitten by an infected cellmate. The incident,which became public in lateJune,points out the need for policies in prisons andjails nationwide regarding the testing of inmates forAIDS,where to house infected inmates in severelyovercrowded facilities,and how to protect unin-fected inmates from those who have the disease. It brings to the forefront the question:Doesbeing incarcerated in jail or prison for any crimemean that there is a possible death sentenceattached?AIDS is always fatal. The Arlington County incident came to lighton June 24 when it was learned that inmate JeromeBaker,who has been in the jail since January ontwo sentences of armed robbery,filed a motion incircuit court to force the Sheriff's Departmentto give him a test for the AIDS virus. Baker claimed that another inmate,who hadbleeding sores in his mouth,bit him,breaking hishis skin,and also used his toothbrush and drinking July 22,1987 Page 1 IN THIS ISSUE AIDS:How Can You Protect Inmates?.....1AMA:Endorses AIDS Tests.........2FBOP:Inmate Is An “Employee”.......3WORK FURLOUGH:Conference Planned....3ACA:Offers New Correspondence Course....4PRIVATIZATION:Conference Scheduled....4PLANNERS:Meeting In September......4ABA:To Discuss AIDS Issues........4CONDOMS:Feds Say No .........5TEXAS:Are Executions "Banal"? ......5SCOTTSBORO CASE:An Illusion?......6NISA/NIC:Hosting Three Seminars......7EXECUTIONS:Three Inmates Die......7JOB LISTINGS.............8CALIFORNIA:Ruling On Work Credits....10ASPA:Seeks Awards Nominees ......10 ## ABA TO HONOR LAWYER The American Bar Association(ABA)will give oneof its four 1987 Pro Bono Publico Awards to Stephen 0.Kinnard of Atlanta,who was nominated for theaward by the State Bar of Georgia for his two-yeareffort to create a forma program to provide lawyersto help persons on Georgia's Death Row appeal theirconvictions and sentences in both state and Federalcourts.Kinnard was appointed in January 1985 tochair a Special Committee to Review the GeorgiaAttorney Role in Post-Conviction Proceedings.Thecommittee reported a crisis one year later,and theprogram it created was approved by the State Bar,the Georgia Supreme Court and Federal courts inGeorgia.Every Death Row inmate in Georgia nowhas a lawyer.The award will be presented Aug.9 atthe ABA's Annual Meeting in San Francisco. ## CORRECTIONS DIGEST AMA ENDORSES AIDS TESTSFOR NATION'S INMATES Education Secretary Calls ForIsolation Of Inmate AIDS Victims The American Medical Association(AMA)made its first comprehensive policy statement onAIDS June 23,recommending a public awarenesscampaign,cautious use of testing and calling formore national leadership in battling the epidemic. AMA officials emphasized the new policy,accepted by its 406-member House of Delegatesat the Association's annual meeting in Chicago,goes far beyond the much publicized testing guide-lines. "I realize AIDS testing is a sexy issue but wedon't want to emphasize it,"said Dr.RobertMcAfee,an AMA trustee. “We're saying,in essence,'Let's have somenational leadership on this problem,'”McAfeesaid."We're calling for increased training forcounseling,and we're calling for appropriate careto be given those afflicted with this illness.” The AMA recommended against expandingmandatory AIDS testing beyond select pop-ulations—inmates,immigrants,the military anddonors of blood,organs and other biologicalproducts. A committee June 22 removed inmates fromthe mandatory testing recommendations of theAMA trustees'report but the proposal was reaf-firmed

FAQs

What incident triggered the AIDS policy discussion in Arlington County?

Inmate Jerome Baker, held since January on armed robbery sentences, sought an AIDS test after claiming he was bitten by another inmate with bleeding sores and that the bite broke his skin.

What did the AMA recommend regarding AIDS testing for inmates?

The American Medical Association endorsed a cautious approach to testing and opposed expanding mandatory AIDS testing beyond selected populations, while emphasizing public awareness, training for counseling, and appropriate care.

How did Education Secretary William J. Bennett suggest handling infected prisoners?

Bennett said prisoners infected with the AIDS virus should be isolated and that authorities should consider not releasing those who threaten to infect others after completing their sentences.

Sep 29, 2026

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