Inmates: Hepatitis C Epidemic In Nv Prisons

CNN is reporting multiple Nevada prison inmates are speaking up about a Hepatitis C epidemic inside corrections walls. Johanna Hudnall is one of those inmates lobbying the Nevada Department of Corrections to diagnose and treat the disease. According to court documents and her lawyers, Hudnall contracted the disease after being sexually assaulted by a prison guard. She is currently serving time at the Florence McClure Women’s Detention Center in North Las Vegas.  She claims Hep C-positive inmates cut, cook and prepare food that the entire prison eats, including prison guards and staff. Hep C destroys the liver. Nevada Department of Corrections says it does not test for Hep C because the law doesn’t require it, and doesn’t know how many inmates have it. A local nonprofit called “NV Cure” is looking to change that and add legislation that requires Nevada prisons to test for it like HIV.