HEALTH CENTER WORKERS HOLD INFORMATIONAL PICKET

CHESTER, Ill. -- Dozens of Chester Mental Health Center workers staged an informational picket in protest after they said they were not allowed to wear gowns and gloves to protect themselves from a HIV-infected patient.

John Hargis, a security therapy aide, arrived to cheers and shouts of support from his colleagues Tuesday. He was sent home two weeks ago after he refused to order two other aides to remove the gloves, masks and gowns they were wearing in a unit where a HIV-infected man lives.

"We don't want to see John in trouble for something that wasn't wrong," said Steve Joiner, a representative of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 424.

The patient reportedly scratched two employees about two weeks ago and threatened to bite others.

Center director Stephen Hardy said laws do not allow HIV-infected patients to be treated any differently than other patients.

The center is the state's maximum-security facility for violent criminals who have been found unfit to stand trial or innocent by reason of insanity.