In 2010, Chicago advocate and Illinois Alliance for Sound AIDS Policy leader Arick Buckles was denied lifesaving HIV medications for 7 days while detained at an Illinois county jail.  This denial underscores the vulnerability of people with HIV to inadequate medical care behind bars, with potentially life-threatening consequences.

Thanks to partner ACLU of Illinois, Arick told his story to the local and national press to make sure others in his situation are treated fairly in the future. 

ACLU press release and letters to correctional authorities.

Chicago Sun-Times story
Read the AP story

This video is an educational, inspirational, and personal account from two formerly incarcerated individuals who have taken control of the health care upon release from prison. The purpose of this video is to help encourage dialogue around re-entry planning for people living with HIV, making health care a priority, knowing one’s status, and getting regular HIV tests. Once post-incarcerated individuals receive assistance through the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, their case managers can help them get access to resources and to establish a network of care and support.

Objectives:

1. To educate inmates who are HIV-positive, or do not know they are HIV-positive, about coordinated re-entry programs for ex-offenders living with HIV/AIDS.
2. To help promote the services provided by re-entry programs and agencies that serve HIV-positive, post-incarcerated individuals in Illinois.
3. To help HIV-positive post-incarcerated individuals in making their health a priority.
4. To reassure HIV-positive inmates that they are not alone in their struggle to rebuild their lives, post-incarceration.

The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in correctional settings is believed to be 14 times greater than the rate of HIV/AIDS in the general population. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 2% of inmates in state prisons are estimated to be HIV-positive. Advocates are concerned that increases in the number of HIV-positive African-Americans may be linked to the disproportionate incarceration of African-American men and women.