National Survey of Infectious Diseases in Correctional Facilities: HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

• NCJ Number: 217736
• Author(s): Theodore M. Hammett Ph.D.; Sofia Kennedy; Sarah Kuck
• Date Published: January 2007
• Length: 34 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2001-IJ-CX-K018; 99-C-008-TO05
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Survey

Annotation

Findings from the 10th National Survey of Infectious Diseases in Correctional Facilities address prison and jail responses to HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Abstract

Regarding HIV testing policies, there was an increase from 31 percent to 33 percent in State/Federal prison systems with mandatory HIV testing from the 1996-97 survey to the 2005 survey. Between the two surveys, there was a decline in the percentage of State/Federal systems in which management staff or line officers were notified of inmates' HIV test results (37 percent to 17 percent and 12 percent to 2 percent, respectively). There was a slight increase in the percentage of city/county systems that disclosed results to correctional officers (from 7 percent to 9 percent). The percentage of State/Federal systems with mandatory or routine syphilis testing for incoming inmates increased from 28 percent to 76 percent; however, it declined from 41 percent to 25 percent in city/county systems. Few systems reported results of STD testing. Regarding HIV/STD education and prevention, most systems continued to provide instructor-led education (82 percent of State/Federal systems and 75 percent of city/county systems); audiovisual programs (84 percent of State/Federal and 58 percent of city/county); and printed materials on HIV (100 percent of State/Federal and 81 percent of city/county). Fewer systems provided peer education (41 percent of State/Federal and 30 percent of city/county) and multisession prevention counseling (48 percent of State/Federal and 58 percent of city/county). Since 1996-97, there has been no change in the few (approximately seven) correctional systems that make condoms available to inmates. The percentage of State/Federal systems that housed inmates with HIV (non-AIDS) in the general population with no restrictions increased from 61 percent to 80 percent. Such housing for inmates with AIDS increased from 33 percent to 60 percent. Little change occurred among city/county systems: 75 percent for HIV inmates and 27 percent for AIDS inmates. Tables, references, and appendixes