NCJ Number
199345
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: May 2002 Pages: 24-27
Date Published
May 2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses infectious diseases in Canadian Federal prisons.
Abstract
Information was collected through the Correctional Service of Canada Infectious Disease Surveillance System (CSC-IDSS) during 2000 and 2001.The high prevalence of infectious diseases in Federal prisons raises concerns regarding the increased risk to uninfected inmates and to public health upon reintegration of infected offenders into the community. Prison inmates experience higher rates of infectious diseases than the general population. They often have a history of high-risk behaviors such as injection drug use, trade sex, and unprotected sex with high-risk partners, which places them at risk of infection prior to their incarceration. Reports indicate that the number of inmates in Federal correctional facilities reported to be infected with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) has grown since the early 1990's. The CSC-IDSS provides health information that can serve to inform decisions of resource allocation for health services within CSC facilities. The prevalence of reported HIV-positive inmates in CSC facilities at yearend 2001 was 223, up from 214 inmate cases in 2000. The prevalence of reported HCV infection in Federal inmates increased from 2,542 reported cases in 2000 to 2,993 cases in 2001. The preponderance of HIV and HCV among prison inmates often overshadows the burden of illnesses associated with less commonly reported communicable diseases such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Hepatitis B and other sexually transmitted infections are more often identified symptomatically rather than through voluntary screening. CSC has implemented several initiatives aimed at preventing the transmission of infectious diseases and reducing the harms associated with risky behaviors. These include the provision of educational materials and programs for offenders and staff; the availability of condoms, dental dams, water-based lubricants and bleach in all institutions; the promotion of immunization for Hepatitis A and B; and the provision of a methadone maintenance program for opioid-addicted inmates. 2 tables, 10 notes