Legislative Action Coalition on
Prison Health
The Legislative Action Coalition on Prison Health (LACPH) is a
coalition of more than 40 organizations working together on a long
term legislative campaign supporting a package of bills that would
ensure proper healthcare, HIV prevention and education to inmates
in New York's prison system. The LACPH has been at work advocating
in Albany this legislative session, following up on a heavy lobbying
campaign last session.
While many of the groups involved have been working on prison heath
issues for several years, the legislative coalition has been steadily
gathering those groups and growing — thanks in large part to
the strong organizing work of the Alliance for Inmates with AIDS.
Core members include the Alliance for Inmates with AIDS, Center
for Community Alternatives, The Correctional Association, Gay Men's
Health Crisis, Legal Aid Society's Prisoner's Rights Project, New
York AIDS Coalition, Osborne Association, and NYC AIDS Housing Network
(see below for a full membership
list). The coalition works closely with many supportive legislators.
The primary piece of legislation the coalition has been advocating
for, A.4204, by Richard Gottfried in the Assembly and S.1840 by
Olga Mendez in the Senate, will authorize the State Department of
Health to perform yearly audits of the health care provided in correctional
facilities. Additonally, the coalition supports a package of legislation
that would offer improvements on the healthcare afforded NY inmates
(see coalition memo and bill
status).
As you may know, the health care provided in our state prisons
is not adequate. Many go without treatment, and health care procedures
can differ greatly in each facility. New York State inmates suffer
disproportionately from serious illnesses, including Hepatitis C
and HIV/AIDS. Of the 65,400 inmates in the custody of the Department
of Correctional Services (DOCS), approximately 10,000 are infected
with Hepatitis C and more than 5,500 are HIV-infected. With 28,000
inmates returning to the community each year, quality medical care
is not only essential for these inmates, but is also good public
health.
Currently, Assembly Health Chair Gottfried and Assembly Corrections
Chair Aubrey are working to set up a third joint Assembly hearing
on prison health issues at the end of April in NYC (see public
hearing notice). The Legislative Action Coalition has participated
in two previous hearings held by Gottfried and Aubry. There is
more work to be done. Join us as we continue to fight for legislation
that wins improvements in the health care afforded NYS Prisoners.
Legislative
Action Coalition on Prison Health |
| ACT UP/NY |
Legal Action Center |
| AIDS Center for Queens County |
LOLA — Latino Organization for Liver Awareness |
| AIDS Treatment Data Network |
Lower East Side Harm Reduction |
| AIDS Service Center |
Lutheran Social Services Free at Last Prison Outreach |
| Alliance for Inmates with AIDS |
Mano a Mano |
| Bailey House |
Momentum AIDS Project |
| Breathing Space, Inc. — Ray Rios |
National AIDS Treatment
Advocacy Project |
| Bronx HIV Care Network |
New York AIDS Coalition |
| Center for Community Alternatives |
New York Civil Liberties Union |
| Center for Comprehensive Care, St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital
|
NYC AIDS Housing Network |
| Coalition of Persons Living with Hepatitis C |
Partnership for Family Health |
Correctional Association of
New York |
The Partnership for the Homeless |
East NY/Brownsville HIV
Care Network |
Prisoners' Rights Project — Legal Aid Society |
| End AIDS Now! |
Rochester Area Task Force on AIDS |
| Exponents/Arrive |
Southern Tier AIDS Program |
| Fortune Society |
Staten Island AIDS Task Force |
| Gay Men's Health Crisis |
STEPS to End Family Violence |
| Harlem Directors' Group |
The Unlock the Block Coalition |
| Harm Reduction Coalition |
Urban Justice Center |
| Housing Works |
VIP Community Services |
| Incarcerated Mothers Program |
William F. Ryan Health Center |
| Iris House |
List in Progress — August 2004 |
| Latino Health Advocacy Coalition |
|
| Latino Commission on AIDS |
|
© 2004 Gay Men's Health Crisis
|
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