Did Something Happen We Don't Know About?

[Pedro56]

Jackson gets HIV test, urges inmates to follow

February 25, 2007
BY DON BABWIN

The Rev. Jesse Jackson visited the Cook County Jail on Friday, where he took an HIV test and encouraged inmates to do the same.

"You can help us attack a killer disease before a killer disease kills us," Jackson told the inmates, before dozens lined up to take the test that involved rubbing a swab along the gum line above their upper teeth.

Jackson's appearance comes at a time when lawmakers nationwide are pushing or considering legislation to require mandatory testing of inmates for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Several states have taken up such measures, and U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) is expected to introduce a bill that would require HIV testing of inmates when they enter and leave federal prison.

Illinois law requires that inmates be offered HIV tests when they arrive at a state prison and before their release, but the tests are voluntary, said Derek Schnapp, a spokesman for the state's corrections department.

Jackson said it is unclear how widespread HIV is in jails. But if even a fraction of the 14,000 inmates housed at the Cook County Jail every year and the tens of thousands jailed around the country are infected, they pose a substantial health risk to the public.

''We have the power to stop spreading death," he said. AP

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

[countybear]

Why is it the libs never suffer from scandals, like "he's my baby daddy!!" Is it because the public expects them to act like dirtbags, so its nothing sensational??

[DirtRoadDeputy]

I only wish Jessie got Aids.