Inmates at Mound Correctional Facility in Detroit are signing up for HIV tests as early as today in an inmate-initiated idea to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS -- a first for the state prison.

The testing is part of a regional effort tied to Sunday's National HIV Testing Day, with events taking place last week and planned for this week.

"People have a negative idea of corrections and the men there. This is a positive way of doing something in a prison setting together," said Rosalind Andrews-Worthy, founder and executive director of Gospel Against AIDS, a faith-based HIV/AIDS prevention education program in Detroit.

"They're coming together to do one good thing and that's saving lives."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV. Of those, about 21% do not know they are infected.

In Michigan, an estimated 18,800 people are living with HIV, according to April data from the Michigan Department of Community Health. Of those, 14,574 have been diagnosed.

"It's important everyone know their status to be a part of the solution to HIV and AIDS and make informed decisions," said Andrea Roberson, director of HIV/AIDS programs for the Detroit's Department of Health and Wellness Promotion.

More than 100 people took free tests at events last week in Detroit sponsored by the department.

In the prison system, many male inmates engaged in high-risk behavior before they were incarcerated, through unprotected sex or intravenous drug use, said Andrews-Worthy and Debra Szwejda, manager of the HIV/AIDS prevention and intervention section of the state health department. If they aren't tested and they return to the community infected and unaware, they can spread HIV.

Szwejda said that inmates take mandatory HIV tests when they enter the state prison system. They also take mandatory tests when released.

The testing at Mound Correctional will allow inmates who learn they have HIV while incarcerated to get necessary health care both in prison and upon release through a community re-entry program, Szwejda said.

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