AIDS Testing of Inmates Is Postponed
At the urging of Ventura County’s public health officer, the Board of Supervisors has postponed a decision on whether to allow testing of certain jail inmates for the virus that causes AIDS.
Dr. Gary Feldman said Tuesday he supports the testing but wants the county’s AIDS Advisory Committee to review the proposal by Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury before the supervisors consider the issue.
Speaking of his own concerns, Feldman said he wants to be sure that there is no discriminatory testing and that test results remain confidential to protect affected inmates.
“We have to remember that they are inmates, and if their HIV status is known in that world there could be significant repercussions,” he said.
Feldman said the seven-member committee, which advises the board on AIDS issues, would hold a special meeting next week to review the district attorney’s proposal.
Under Bradbury’s plan, county doctors would test inmates in county jails for the AIDS virus only in instances where officers are exposed to a prisoner’s blood.
Although Feldman has conducted tests on inmates in the past, a new amendment to a state law requires that local governments approve of testing when necessary.
The Board of Supervisors will now consider the issue at its March 28 meeting.
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