New York: HIV Staff Layoffs at Rikers

Prison Health Services announced Wednesday it is eliminating the positions of 12 HIV counselors at New York City's Rikers Island correctional facilities. The for-profit firm said it took the step as part of a restructuring with the city Department of Health. Although DOH confirmed the job cuts, it said 25 other staffers, including physicians, will continue to provide testing and counseling services. "While the number of HIV counselors has fallen in the past two years, HIV testing, always with informed consent, has more than doubled," DOH said. Union officials, however, expressed outrage. "Eliminating counselors is tantamount to a death sentence for these inmates," said Jennifer Cunningham, vice president of Service Employees International Union.

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