Longstanding ban on prisoners with HIV from participating in that state's work release programs.

The Alabama Department of Corrections has finally ended its longstanding ban on prisoners with HIV from participating in that state's work release programs. Such programs are believed to provide convicts with the best chance of successful reentry into society by allowing them to hold paying jobs, gain skills and experience, save money toward future expenses and child support, and make restitution. These opportunities have been denied to Alabama prisoners with HIV, who additionally have been housed in segregated units. With Alabama taking this positive step, South Carolina remains the only state that continues to ban prisoners with HIV from work release.

Karen Ann Gajewski is a contributing editor to the Humanist and a documentation project coordinator.