July 2003

Maryland Inmates Heavily Infected

More than one in three inmates entering the Maryland prison system tests positive for HIV, syphilis, or hepatitis B or C, and many have more than one infection, the Maryland AIDS Administration announced in March. Its blood survey showed that rates for the diseases among inmates are “dramatically higher” than rates among the general population. The report stated that almost 65% of HIV-positive inmates are coinfected with hepatitis C.