HIV, TB TREATMENT IS IMPROVING IN ALABAMA

Alabama is upgrading health care treatment with particular attention to HIV and tuberculosis in response to a class action lawsuit.

The treatment now involves more staff and more frequent testing by the State Department of Public Health.

Alabama has about 300 male inmates housed in the

Besides providing better health care, the Corrections Department has assigned inmates to two-bed cells. Previously they had been held in an open dormitory facility that allowed for more interaction among residents.

The health department also conducted a series of special tests in the HIV/AIDS unit after an autopsy on a deceased inmate revealed an active TB infection.

The Southern Center for Human Rights of Atlanta brought the lawsuit on behalf of HIV-positive prisoners.

The Corrections Department outlined the improvements in health care delivery in a report to the Alabama legislature's Joint Prison Committee.

The report said inmates have been moved closer to the healthcare unit and they can now wait inside for medication instead of forming a line outside of the building.

HIV-positive inmates are also allowed to participate in educational and vocational programs with the general prison population. Previously, the sessions were held separately.

The state is trying to avoid federal court oversight and wants a private settlement enforceable in state court, the report said.

Mediation in the case is ongoing, and no trial date has been set.