Adolescence is often associated with experimentation of risky sexual and drug-related behaviors, increasing a young person 's vulnerability to HIV. Women make up the growing population of those living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. The rate of women infected with this disease is usually higher among younger people than older people. Women prisoners are more than likely to have attracted this infection before actually being incarcerated. Most women were infected with HIV, by a drug injection or may have received HIV from their mother as an infant, or through sexual intercourse. Since women prisoners may engage in sexual intercourse during detention or release on parole, they should be enabled to protect themselves through the provision of condoms and skills in negotiating safer sex. Female inmates who are infected and are pregnant, however, should have no pressure on them to terminate their pregnancies. Women should be able to care for their young children while in detention regardless of their HIV …show more content…
Many individuals were hesitant in talking about this topic, as it is a topic that many do not like to talk about. It was said that one of the biggest problems that individuals face is unprotected sex. One person said that he believes one of the issues regarding HIV/AIDS is the population control; meaning that people do not use protection. Another person believes that the image of female being infected with HIV is more accepted than male who are infected. HIV and AIDS play a major role in and out of the criminal justice system: physically, mentally and emotionally. If people were more aware about HIV and the causes and effects, there would be less people being tested positive. A person needs to recognize what’s going on within society that he or she lives in and try to help themselves and others as well. Well-educated people who know information about HIV and AIDS need to reach out to those who are not aware of the affects this virus may cause. If people knew the general information and how to get tested, more people would take the initiative to go. The number of those infected will not be so high. This is evident that this could very well be a possibility of saving lives. There are several sacrifices that people must face to protect themselves and love ones; educating and practicing