NCJ Number
176447
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: 1998 Pages: 185-208
Date Published
1998
Length
24 pages
Annotation
Data from 188 female drug offenders who were admitted to a Texas State prison were analyzed with respect to their self-reported behavioral histories related to HIV risk.
Abstract
The participants were interviewed during the intake process at the Central Medical Diagnostic unit for female inmates in Texas in 1994. The 188 drug offenders were a subgroup of a random sample of 500 female inmates. Each structured interview lasted an average of 90 minutes and covered 6 major topics. The analysis focused on the self-reported health histories, drug and sexual high-risk behaviors, and self-perceptions of risk of these women. The study also examined attitudes toward drugs and alcohol as a personal problem and toward treatment, in comparison to the attitudes of property and violent offenders. Results revealed that female drug offenders had histories of multiple HIV/AIDS-related behaviors, but they perceived their HIV infection risk to be low. Unlike women incarcerated for property or violent offenses, a significant proportion of drug offenders with personal drug and alcohol problems were interested in participating in drug treatment. Findings indicated that correctional administrators have a narrow and yet crucial window of opportunity to provide alcohol and drug treatment, AIDS education, and self-efficacy training to these women during their few years of incarceration. Tables and 60 references (Author abstract modified)