As syphilis continues to be a concern in Alabama prisons, antibiotics used to treat it also raise environmental concerns
photo courtesy of Ron Lach on pexels.com MONTGOMERY, Ala. —The Alabama Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) report from January 2021 to March 2025 shows steady increases in syphilis across multiple counties, including prisons, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. The increase in syphilis cases in Alabama prisons isn’t subtle, says ADPH officials.“We have seen an increase in the number of syphilis cases,” said Thomas. Thomas said crowded living spaces, limited prevention access and difficulty completing treatment make prisons an easy place for syphilis to spread. Those issues follow people into prison and follow them back out. “Some inmates get…