Survey Finds That Many Prisons and Jails Have Room to Improve HIV Testing and Coordination of Postrelease Treatment

• NCJ Number: 246715
• Journal: Health Affairs Volume: 33 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2014 Pages: 434-442
• Author(s): Liza Solomon; Brian T. Montague; Curt G. Beckwith; Jacques Baillargeon; Michael Costa; Dora Dumont; Irene Kuo; Ann Kurth; Josiah D. Rich
• Date Published: March 2014
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article presents the results of a survey of HIV testing and policies in jails and prisons around the country.

Abstract

Findings from this survey on the prevalence of HIV testing and associated policies in jails and prisons around the country include the following: 88 percent of responding prison systems and 100 percent of responding jails reported providing HIV testing under certain circumstances; of the responding systems, 58 percent of the prison systems and 57 percent of the jails reported that they perform routine testing, and 56 percent of the prison systems reported routine testing at intake and 19 percent reported routine testing at both intake and exit, while none of the jails reported testing at these points; 14 percent of responding prison systems and 30 percent of responding jails reported providing HIV testing in accordance with the CDC's (Centers for Disease Control's) recommendations; and 36 percent of responding prison systems and 74 percent of responding jails reported that they provide released inmates with information on community providers and community health resources. This survey of medical directors of State prison systems examined the prevalence of HIV testing in jails and prisons around the country. Data for the study were obtained from a survey of medical directors of the 50 State prison systems and 40 of the largest jail systems in the country. The survey explored the types of HIV testing procedures and programs used by jails and prison systems to determine the level of care that is provided to inmates during incarceration and after release from custody. The current problem stems from a lack of data on whether inmates are provided with the information they need to continue to receive HIV care in the community following their release from custody. The findings from this study indicate that a majority of prison systems and jails do not provide critical treatment services for HIV-positive inmates after their release from custody. Study limitations are discussed. 5 exhibits and 38 notes