Northern Regional Center for Independent Living

AIDs in Prison Program

Program Director - Bill O'Neill

HIV Education Program

General Risk Reduction - NRCIL's educators profile training that gives each participant the opportunity to learn the basics of HIV infection, symptoms and techniques to prevent transmission of the virus.
Advanced Risk Reduction - This training provides each individual a more in depth look a the physical aspects of the effects of HIV infection, treatments available and the importance of behavioral modification for the prevention of the transmission of the HIV disease.
Peer Educator Training - Each participant in this intensive four day course will obtain a significant understanding of HIV and AIDS. Upon successful completion of the course they are then qualified to assist in the presentation of HIV/AIDS materials to men in the general population.
HIV Testing - NRCIL's educators provide anonymous HIV testing in each of the five HUB facilities and the three area county facilities.

Support Services for HIV Positive Inmates

NRCIL provides services to HIV positive inmates in each of the five correctional facilities in the Watertown HUB and the three area county facilities.
These services are tailored to meet the individual needs of those that we serve.
All services are strictly confidential.
Spanish language services are available.
Referrals for counseling or transitional planning services may be made through the Nurse Administration by placing your name and DIN on a referral form.

HIV Correctional Support Program

NRCIL's Correctional Support Coordinator provides HIV positive inmates with an opportunity to discuss issues related to their disease. Because of the sensitive nature of these issues, two services are offered:

Individual Counseling - Individual (one-on-one) counseling provides private, individualized attention to HIV positive inmates who need to express their concerns in a more confidential manner. Usually, when an individual is ready, he will join the larger support group for emotional and educational maintenance.
Group Counseling - Support groups exist in each facility in the Watertown HUB. Each group is facilitated by a NRCIL employee who assists in maintaining the productive discussion of issues that are important to that group. The facilitator also assists in bringing new or different information to the group. Many times this information is medical in nature, or involves techniques in treatment adherence and living well with HIV disease.

Transitional Planning Services

The Transitional Planner provides HIV positive individuals who may soon be released with services to assist them with changes that will occur in their lives upon release from the facility.

What the Transitional Planner can do for Transitioning individuals:

Referrals for Housing
Medical care & Doctors appointments
Referrals to Case Management agencies that provide on-going supports for the HIV positive individual that include benefits, advisement, and advocacy
Referral to HIV/AIDs Services
Administration (HASA) in New York City & AIDs Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) statewide
Substance abuse treatment programs
Mental health services
Support groups

The AIDs in Prison Program serves the following correctional facilities:

Cape Vincent - Cape Vincent, NY
Gouverneur - Gouverneur, NY
Ogdensburg - Ogdensburg, NY
Riverview - Ogdensburg, NY
Watertown - Watertown, NY
St. Lawrence County - Canton, NY
Jefferson County - Watertown, NY
Lewis County - Lowville, NY