Invisible women: The status of incarcerated women with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

The role of women in the AIDS epidemic has primarily been defined in terms of the potential for the spread of HIV to sexual partners or to their children. This “vessel” and “vector” imagery has masked the growing prevalence of the disease among women and women of color. The impact is seen in the underreporting of HIV cases in women, the unavailability of primary health care services to women most at risk to HIV infection, and the need for innovative counseling, education and prevention programs, particularly in poor, urban communities. Although women have been termed “the forgotten victims of AIDS,” incarcerated, HIV‐infected women are the most invisible segment of the AIDS population. Preliminary evidence suggests that women entering correctional facilities have higher HIV‐seroprevalence rates than men and, possibly, lower survival rates. The data suggest that the numbers of women with HIV/AIDS in prison will increase, as the profile of women entering prison mirrors the profile of women most at risk for contracting the disease. The national Commission on AIDS has called for immediate attention and action on the status of AIDS education, prevention, counseling and medical services to incarcerated women and their children. In line with these recommendation, this article raises a number of questions that must be addressed in assessing the status of incarcerated women with HIV/AIDS.