NCJ Number
207666
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 66 Issue: 6 Dated: October 2004 Pages: 124-127
Date Published
October 2004
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice's (TDCJ's) history of cooperation with public health agencies at the local, State, and Federal levels has enhanced continuity of care, offender and staff health education, screening and disease prevention, and public health assistance and consultation.
Abstract
In order to facilitate continuity of health care for ex-inmates after their release, the TDCJ has developed a number of partnerships with community-based organizations to improve continuity of care for offenders with HIV infection after they are released. Community-based organizations have also hired staff who go to prisons to meet with offenders who have requested discharge planning assistance. Regarding offender and staff health care education, the TDCJ Peer Education Program established in 1998 offers a health education curriculum in 44 correctional facilities. Topics covered are infectious diseases, coping skills, and healthy lifestyles. TDCJ incorporates health screening into routine medical care for offenders, with attention to the detection of infectious diseases at intake. One of the most beneficial collaborations over the past few years has been the assignment to the TDCJ of a public health adviser from the Centers for Disease Control. This adviser has provided expertise in upgrading all phases of inmate health services. The TDCJ also collaborates with State health authorities in developing State plans for the prevention and control of infectious diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV.