Victoria Law

Victoria Law is a freelance writer and editor. Her work focuses on the intersections of incarceration, gender and resistance. She is the author of Resistance Behind Bars: The Struggles of Incarcerated Women.

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birds breaking out of prison wall
Other Populations

Will the Federal FIRST STEP Act Help People With HIV Convictions?

The FIRST STEP Act has been touted as a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill that may allow hundreds of people in federal prisons an earlier release date, including those criminalized for HIV-related crimes at the federal level.

birds breaking out of prison wall
Other Populations

Will the Federal FIRST STEP Act Help People With HIV Convictions?

The FIRST STEP Act has been touted as a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill that may allow hundreds of people in federal prisons an earlier release date, including those criminalized for HIV-related crimes at the federal level.

Woman in prison
Women

Despite Advances on the Outside, Life for Women With HIV in Prison Remains Risky

The rates of HIV among incarcerated women are higher than those of their non-incarcerated counterparts. In many prisons, information about HIV is scarce and gaps in treatment are common.

Woman in prison
Women

Despite Advances on the Outside, Life for Women With HIV in Prison Remains Risky

The rates of HIV among incarcerated women are higher than those of their non-incarcerated counterparts. In many prisons, information about HIV is scarce and gaps in treatment are common.

Even When Criminalization Isn't a Threat, Abusers Still Use HIV as a Tool of Control and Coercion Img
Relationships and Sex

Even When Criminalization Isn't a Threat, Abusers Still Use HIV as a Tool of Control and Coercion

Women living with HIV are nearly twice as likely to experience intimate partner violence than women living without HIV. One reason? The continuing shame and stigma of being HIV positive.

Even When Criminalization Isn't a Threat, Abusers Still Use HIV as a Tool of Control and Coercion Img
Relationships and Sex

Even When Criminalization Isn't a Threat, Abusers Still Use HIV as a Tool of Control and Coercion

Women living with HIV are nearly twice as likely to experience intimate partner violence than women living without HIV. One reason? The continuing shame and stigma of being HIV positive.

police at a protest
Stigma and Discrimination

Despite Science, Police Still Add 'Biting' to Charges Against People With HIV

Lee Dewey was charged with biting an officer at a Slutwalk march, but Dewey was apparently the only one injured. Activists are fighting back.

police at a protest
Stigma and Discrimination

Despite Science, Police Still Add 'Biting' to Charges Against People With HIV

Lee Dewey was charged with biting an officer at a Slutwalk march, but Dewey was apparently the only one injured. Activists are fighting back.

Michael Johnson, HIV Disclosure, and the Coercive Nature of Plea Bargains Img
Stigma and Discrimination

Michael Johnson, HIV Disclosure, and the Coercive Nature of Plea Bargains

Johnson's experience, complete with the threat of a century in prison, might seem shocking, but the reality is that plea bargains are extremely common.

Michael Johnson, HIV Disclosure, and the Coercive Nature of Plea Bargains Img
Stigma and Discrimination

Michael Johnson, HIV Disclosure, and the Coercive Nature of Plea Bargains

Johnson's experience, complete with the threat of a century in prison, might seem shocking, but the reality is that plea bargains are extremely common.

The DMV Balenciaga House Meeting
Stigma and Discrimination

HIV Criminalization Update: Some U.S. Nondisclosure Laws Advance, While Others Recede

The past several weeks have brought good news from California and Idaho; bad news from Maryland and Massachusetts; and signs of hope from Ohio, as well as our national neighbors to the north.

The DMV Balenciaga House Meeting
Stigma and Discrimination

HIV Criminalization Update: Some U.S. Nondisclosure Laws Advance, While Others Recede

The past several weeks have brought good news from California and Idaho; bad news from Maryland and Massachusetts; and signs of hope from Ohio, as well as our national neighbors to the north.

AIDS Activist Brian Carmichael Reflects on Prison Health Care Then and Now Img
Stigma and Discrimination

AIDS Activist Brian Carmichael Reflects on Prison Health Care Then and Now

Over his 30 years in and out of America's penal system, HIV-positive activist Brian Carmichael has seen some of the best and worst of what prison health care has to offer.

AIDS Activist Brian Carmichael Reflects on Prison Health Care Then and Now Img
Stigma and Discrimination

AIDS Activist Brian Carmichael Reflects on Prison Health Care Then and Now

Over his 30 years in and out of America's penal system, HIV-positive activist Brian Carmichael has seen some of the best and worst of what prison health care has to offer.

What's New in HIV Criminalization in the United States: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Img
Stigma and Discrimination

What's New in HIV Criminalization in the United States: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Get the updates on laws and court cases that modernize -- or reinforce -- HIV criminalization in California, Missouri, Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

What's New in HIV Criminalization in the United States: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Img
Stigma and Discrimination

What's New in HIV Criminalization in the United States: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Get the updates on laws and court cases that modernize -- or reinforce -- HIV criminalization in California, Missouri, Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

'Out of Flames and Fear': How People With HIV Forced California to Reform HIV Care in Prisons Img
Stigma and Discrimination

'Out of Flames and Fear': How People With HIV Forced California to Reform HIV Care in Prisons

25 years later, Brian Carmichael says, "I don't regret anything we did there or all the trouble it caused us. My time at Vacaville showed me what one person, or a small group, can do."

'Out of Flames and Fear': How People With HIV Forced California to Reform HIV Care in Prisons Img
Stigma and Discrimination

'Out of Flames and Fear': How People With HIV Forced California to Reform HIV Care in Prisons

25 years later, Brian Carmichael says, "I don't regret anything we did there or all the trouble it caused us. My time at Vacaville showed me what one person, or a small group, can do."

U.S. map
Stigma and Discrimination

What's New in HIV Criminalization in the United States: Congress, California, Florida, Georgia, Ohio and Utah

Get an update on the national front, plus a look at four states that may reform laws that criminalize HIV non-disclosure and transmission -- and one that's increasing penalties for people living with HIV.

U.S. map
Stigma and Discrimination

What's New in HIV Criminalization in the United States: Congress, California, Florida, Georgia, Ohio and Utah

Get an update on the national front, plus a look at four states that may reform laws that criminalize HIV non-disclosure and transmission -- and one that's increasing penalties for people living with HIV.

Activists speak up at town hall with Louisiana senator Bill Cassidy
HIV Advocacy and Activism

Learning to Bird-Dog, HIV Advocates Take Power Into Their Own Hands

Want to hold your elected officials accountable? People with HIV and allies are learning what works best for turning up the heat -- and putting it into action.

Activists speak up at town hall with Louisiana senator Bill Cassidy
HIV Advocacy and Activism

Learning to Bird-Dog, HIV Advocates Take Power Into Their Own Hands

Want to hold your elected officials accountable? People with HIV and allies are learning what works best for turning up the heat -- and putting it into action.

chainlink fence
Other Populations

How Does Incarceration Impact the Spread of HIV?

Cycling in and out of jails contributes to the spread of HIV. Meds can keep risk of transmission low behind bars -- but risk increase upon release, when people face barriers to care and may no longer be virally suppressed.

chainlink fence
Other Populations

How Does Incarceration Impact the Spread of HIV?

Cycling in and out of jails contributes to the spread of HIV. Meds can keep risk of transmission low behind bars -- but risk increase upon release, when people face barriers to care and may no longer be virally suppressed.