FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                   Contact: ACT UP Austin

cell: ***********

*************

 

Challenge Issued to State Prison Officials:  Explain Yourself

 

Austin, TX--On August 14, ACT UP Austin and community members will rally at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) offices to demand that prison officials address growing concerns about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Texas prisons.  This week, ACT UP issued an open letter to TDCJ requesting an explanation for their lack of compliance with Center for Disease Control recommendations to prison officials.

 

"This is a wake up call. The state of Texas has failed to address this public health crisis and has failed to acknowledge that this issue has the potential to touch everyone's lives," according to a spokesperson for ACT UP.  The group has partnered with national organizations to put pressure on state and local agencies to ramp up HIV prevention in prisons and jails.

 

A recently issued CDC report clearly documents HIV transmission in prison populations and urges prompt evaluation of existing policies regarding condom accessibility.

 

"AIDS is no longer just knocking at our door. It let itself in, raided the refrigerator and is upstairs sleeping in our bed. We have to address this epidemic on both sides of the bars," says Cynthia, an HIV-positive woman who suspects her own infection originated behind bars.

As a state agency, TDCJ has a responsibility to provide public safety and promote positive changes in offender behavior, which includes scientifically proven prevention methods, such as condom use.  ACT UP has imposed an August 14 deadline for TDCJ to respond to the growing community concerns expressed in the group's letter.  Everyone is encouraged to join the group at the TDCJ offices on August 14 at 11:30 AM.

 

See attached open letter to TDCJ.

 

More information about the work that ACT UP is doing around this issue can be found at

www.actupaustin.org.

 

#  #  #