Successful Community Follow-up and Reduced Recidivism in HIV Positive Women Prisoners

• NCJ Number: 171859
• Journal: Journal of Correctional Health Care Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1997) Pages: 5-17
• Author(s): J Y Kim; J Rich; S Zierler; K Lourie; K Vigilante; L Normandie; M Snead; J Renzi; D Bury-Maynard; P Loberti; R Richman; T P Flanigan
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes a Prison Release Program to link HIV- positive women prisoners with medical care, financial assistance, substance abuse treatment, and housing upon release.

Abstract

The primary goal of the Prison Release Program is to establish the initial link between women being released from prison and community resources. In the first 12 months of the program, 41 women were enrolled. Successful referral to medical follow-up occurred for 78 percent of the women; financial assistance for 80 percent; drug rehabilitation for 65 percent; and housing for 57 percent. Recidivism rates (defined as reincarceration for any reason) at 6 months (12 percent) and 12 months (17 percent) were reduced by more than 50 percent compared to recidivism rates for HIV-seropositive women who were not enrolled in the program and women who were HIV-negative and released without the benefits of the program. Because of the relatively small number of women who have participated in the program, it is not possible to determine which element of the program is most responsible for the decrease in recidivism. Note, tables, figure, references