Kentucky: Jail Offers Free HIV Testing

Inmates at Henderson County Jail are now being offered HIV testing thanks to the efforts of the local group Matthew 25 AIDS Service. "We've had a really great response," said Gayla Gilbert, a volunteer with the group, which began its program in August. "I go in one week and do testing of women and the next week I test the men. So far, there's never been a time I haven't had patients," said Gilbert. Medical treatment, provided through Matthew 25 and state resources, begins promptly for prisoners who test positive. Some inmates have tested positive, though Gilbert would not disclose a figure, citing confidentiality. "I thought if we had Matthew 25 come in at no cost to the county it would benefit the inmates as well as the county," said county jail Chief Deputy Col. Ron Herrington. "Quite a few" federal and state inmates had also requested HIV testing, said Herrington. "Once we've finished with the county inmates we'll probably provide it to the state and federal inmates," said Herrington.

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