Plan Calls for AIDS Testing of New Inmates

The Deukmejian Administration called for legislation Tuesday to permit the mandatory testing of all new prison inmates for exposure to the AIDS virus.

Under the Administration plan, prison officials would test all 30,000 inmates entering the prison system each year and would have the authority to require testing for any prisoner already incarcerated.

Inmates who test positive, as well as those who have come down with symptoms of the disease, would be segregated, said Patrick Kenady, assistant director of the Department of Corrections.

It marks the first time the Deukmejian Administration has endorsed mandatory AIDS tests for any group, said Deukmejian press secretary Kevin Brett.

Administration officials said the measure was needed to stop the spread of the fatal disease and to protect the health of prisoners and members of the general public.

However, legislation by Sen. John Doolittle (R-Citrus Heights) incorporating the Administration’s proposal stalled in the Judiciary Committee because of opposition from Democratic senators.

Senate Democratic Leader Barry Keene of Benicia briefly won approval of an amendment to provide an alternate method: permitting prison officials to issue condoms.

Committee Chairman Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward), apprehensive of the condom proposal, in an unusual maneuver rescinded the amendment and said the committee would take up the bill next week.

In addition to Keene, opponents of the bill included Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles), the American Civil Liberties Union and the Health Officers Assn. of California.

Sen. Ed Davis (R-Valencia), a supporter of mandatory testing, lashed out at Democratic opponents.

“You as state officials have a responsibility to protect the health and safety and welfare of prisoners in your prison system,” the former Los Angeles police chief said. “We know that we double-bunk everyplace and that men are sleeping together. We know that under those conditions there are frequently homosexual acts. We know that AIDS is transmitted in that fashion.”