A judge has struck down Alabama's policy of segregating prison inmates with HIV, ruling that it violates federal law.
U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ruled Friday in favor of inmates who filed suit to end the longstanding practice. Thompson says the state's policy violates federal disabilities law.
Thompson says the state and inmate attorneys will have time to propose a way to bring state prisons into compliance with his order.
The American Civil Liberties Union calls the decision "historic." The state has yet to comment on the ruling.
Alabama and South Carolina are the only states that segregate HIV-positive prisoners. A class-action lawsuit accused the state of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Thompson says he still must decide a part of the suit involving work-release inmates.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.