HIV and Hepatitis Prevention in Prison
New Prison Prevention Program means new jobs for the North Country
AIDS Community Resources has launched a new Criminal Justice Initiative, funded with $306,205 state and federal dollars, to provide comprehensive HIV, STD, and Hepatitis prevention programs for inmates. When fully staffed, the CJI will have created six news jobs, with four of them located in the North Country.
The program teaches individual and skills building group prevention services to individuals housed in eight New York State Department of Corrections facilities in the Watertown and Elmira HUBS. “It is important that incarcerated men have an understanding of behaviors that place them at risk for HIV, hepatitis and other STDs,” said ACR’s Director of Prevention Services, Wenona Wake. “Some men are engaging in unprotected sex (condoms are not available) and some are getting tattoos, both of which place them at high-risk for the transmission and/or acquisition of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other STDs.”
The Criminal Justice Initiative Team:
From left:
Jerry Pearson worked most recently as a Support Services Case Manager for AIDS Community Resources, but transitioned to the Criminal Justice Initiative at onset of the program. Pearson holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Regis University.
Tim Connor, the CJI Coordinator, has a background as a police officer (retired from Watertown Police Department), a Registered Nurse, and an Educator/Counselor for Northern Regional Center for Independent Living.
Bonnie Towles holds a degree in criminal justice from Jefferson Community College. She has worked as an addiction counselor at the Samaritan Center and holds certificates in a number of areas as well as for Therapeutic Crisis Intervention and Emergency Medical Technician.
Derek Villnave worked previously with Seneca-Cayuga ARC and alternative high school teacher. He has a degree from Le Moyne College, with graduate work at SUNY Oswego and SUNY Cortland.
Dale Woolson is a former Substance Abuse/Mental Health Counselor, HIV/AIDS Educator, and Chemical Dependency Counselor. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Syracuse University with a degree in Social Work.