The number of prison and jail inmates with AIDS has soared to a record high and correctional authorities in Tainan County are finding it increasingly challenging to accommodate the special needs of these prisoners.
As of March 31, the number of inmates with AIDS in Tainan Prison shot up to 20, up from only four last December, the largest number of AIDS patients behind bars in the country, authorities said. The Tainan Detention Center has the second-largest number of inmates with AIDS -- 14.
The 16 new prison inmates with AIDS -- mostly drug abusers -- pose a challenge to prison authorities in terms of medical requirements and management of their daily lives.
When there were only four such inmates, they each had their own cells. Now, the 20 inmates are housed together in five cells.
The time for inmates with AIDS to go out for fresh air or to exercise must be different from those of other prisoners, the officials said, adding that the inmates with AIDS are also prohibited from taking part in workshop activities.
Since the prison has only basic medical and health facilities, when the inmates with AIDS need medical attention they have to be sent to an outside hospital accompanied by prison officials.
Officials say the increasing numbers of inmates with AIDS have also raised the question of whether psychological specialists should be hired to provide counseling to these inmates to prevent them from becoming "time bombs" who could endanger other inmates.
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