Availability of HIV Prevention Services Within New York State Correctional Facilities During 1999-2000: Results of a Survey

Abstract

This survey examined the extent of HIV prevention interventions available to approximately 70,000 inmates housed in the 69 correctional facilities that comprise New York State's prison system and explored barriers to offering prevention services. Specific HIV prevention interventions were selected. A written survey was used to ascertain their availability within the previous 12-month period at each correctional facility. Correctional facilities reported a high level of availability of HIV prevention interventions and services. All 69 (100%) reported prevention education, and 59 (86%) said they met or exceeded inmate demand. More than 90% reported individual and group counseling and more than three-quarters offered both English and Spanish. Support groups were reported as being offered at 50 (73%) prisons. Significant progress in meeting HIV prevention needs of New York State inmates has been achieved. The Criminal Justice Initiative is a highly effective service delivery model. Efforts to better meet needs of Spanish-speaking inmates should continue.

HIV Risk Behaviors of Male and Female Jail Inmates Prior to Incarceration and One Year Post-Release

“…Prevention programs should not solely focus on individuals when they are incarcerated, as the present data suggest that inmates are at continued risk for HIV once they leave jail. Programs which combine peer-led instructional workshops, individual and group counseling, community outreach, confidential testing, individual case management, and referral and follow up services for released inmates, are thought by many to represent the cutting edge of HIV risk reduction efforts [15, 16]. …”

Promoting HCV Treatment Completion for Prison Inmates: New York State's Hepatitis C Continuity Program

“…Overall, 1,464 DOCS inmates have received HCV treatment through March 31, 2006. The DOCS and the NYSDOH have an established partnership with joint initiatives to advance correctional health. 3,[33][34][35] One challenge to comprehensive treatment was the impact of indeterminate or short length of stay on HCV antiviral treatment decisions. DOCS, like other correctional systems, had a policy to begin HCV treatment only in patients with enough time left in confinement to complete treatment, because incomplete treatment is less likely to be effective.…”

Prison Inmates Living with HIV in India

“…A race and gender-sensitive, peer-facilitated, multimedia HIV and Hepatitis protocol was developed to address HIV risk reduction and prevention for the re-entry population (Inciardi et al 2007 ). A high-level intervention for HIV prevention and support service was available to approximately 70,000 inmates housed in 69 correctional facilities across New York State, in the form of HIV prevention education, individual and group counselling, and HIV support groups (Klein et al 2002 ). A prison-based HIV intervention was most successful at infl uencing beliefs and response related to peer behaviour and somewhat successful at infl uencing beliefs and intentions related to condom use (Bryan et al 2006 ).…”