AIDS and the IV Drug User in the Criminal Justice System

Significant numbers of intravenous drug users come into contact with the criminal justice system on a regular basis. This presents a number of significant implications for both case processing and the provision of services. The risk of HIV infection among IV drug-using offenders is higher than that of non-offending IV users, and as such, the potential for the spread of the virus in correctional settings needs to be addressed Although the courts have examined the issues of mass HIV screening of inmates and the segregation of HIV-infected prisoners, no definitive decisions with national implications have emerged.