The challenge for prisoners and advocates, say seasoned veterans, is not be intimidated by the HMOs' bombast. Although the prison world seems unassailable and intimidating, it is still susceptible to outside pressure, as are private companies. Although Clements has maxed out her credit cards fighting her battle, and her brother has faced retailiation inside, she says she's doing the right thing. My father told me that when good people sit back doing nothing, evil people flourish. I feel like I'm fighting the beast.
Prisoners are big business in more than just the health care sector.
The private prison industry is booming, despite high-profile escapes, violence, riots, and a government report that found no evidence that private prisons actually save taxpayers money. In Tennessee, CCA routinely transferred prisoners with HIV to state-run prisons so company shareholders wouldn't have to foot the bill for HIV treatment. That may be called managing your expenses, but it's giving the industry a bad rep. Rachel Maddow is a longtime activist completing her doctorate on HIV and prison issues at Oxford University. Plus All rights reserved.