NCJ Number
172070
Journal
American Jails Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: (September-October 1997) Pages: 39-41,45-52,54,56
Date Published
1997
Length
13 pages
Annotation
HIV, AIDS, and related medical problems in county jails in Indiana are discussed, with emphasis on the urgent need for jails to reconsider their policies and architecture to establish adequate programs for AIDS prevention and care.
Abstract
Data came from interviews and questionnaire surveys of inmates and correctional personnel in 24 of the jails in the south and south-central part of Indiana. Questions focused on the movement and housing of prisoners, jail to jail and jail to prison transport, the housing of state prisoners, double bunking, and the capacity and ventilation systems of jails. Information was also collected on the availability of HIV testing and tuberculosis and AIDS education programs, estimates of HIV prevalence, the level of HIV-related sexual and drug-related risk among inmates, and inmate and staff knowledge and attitudes. Results revealed that 24 percent of inmates have injected illegal drugs at some point in their lives and that the estimated HIV seroprevalence rate matches current numbers for the Indiana prison system. Findings strongly suggest the need to reconsider jail policies and architecture to develop adequate prevention and care programs. Interagency cooperation, particularly among the jails, the Public Health Service, the Department of Corrections, and the legislature, will facilitate this process. Tables and reference notes