Jackson Free Press

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is touting a Mississippi program for inmates with HIV/AIDS as one of the nation's best. HHS cited the Mississippi Department of Corrections' re-entry program for inmates leaving the state prison system as blueprint for other corrections agencies.

The Mississippi AIDS Education Training Center developed the discharge manual and has helped MDOC train medical personnel and assists with re-entry planning.

The manual includes checklists, lists social-service resources, HIV testing sites, contact information for social workers, housing information, services the Mississippi State Department of Health offers and other information.

Dr. Gloria Perry, MDOC's chief medical officer called collaboration between community and prison caregivers vital to providing continuity of care for inmates with HIV/AIDS. MDOC information states that 218 inmates are HIV positive and 57 have AIDS.

MDOC Commissioner Christopher Epps said in a statement: “We know that offenders who are not linked with services that will help them make better transitions to the community are more likely to return to jail or prison. If we seize opportunities to provide interventions in facilities and in preparation for inmates’ return to communities, then their prospects for success are greatly enhanced.”