AEGiS-14IAC: Developing a prevention and continuity of care strategic plan for HIV+ offenders released from prison.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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Developing a prevention and continuity of care strategic plan for HIV+ offenders released from prison.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. E11442)

Mizwa MB, Miles J, Scott D, Ross M, Kelley M, McCann K
AIDS Foundation Houston, Houston, United States

ISSUE: The need for comprehensive prevention and continuity of care plans for HIV+ offenders returning to the community cannot be overstated.

DESCRIPTION: The CDC's 2001 Price Fellowship for HIV Prevention Leadership allowed the author (M. Mizwa) to research the complex issues surrounding discharge planning and seamless continuity of care for HIV+ offenders released from state prison systems to the community. The goals of the Fellowship were: ?Identify Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) discharge planning and continuity of care delivery mechanisms and linkages. ?Assess community barriers to prevention and continuity of care. ?Report findings and make recommendations for the development of a seamless post-release continuity of care strategic plan.

ISSUES: Formal linkages between departments of corrections (DOC), departments of health, and community-based service providers (NGO) are virtually non-existent. In order for continuity of care programs to be effective, leadership among DOC, public health agencies, and community-based organizations must communicate, collaborate, and commit resources. Integrated prevention and continuity of care plans can: ?Ensure uninterrupted treatment regimens ?Address basic survival needs ?Assist in evaluating co-morbidity issues ?Reinforce HIV prevention and health promotion services ?Reduce recidivism among offender populations

RECOMMENDATIONS: ?Facilitate formal leadership and network linkages between DOC, and appropriate local and state health departments, and community-based AIDS service providers (NGO). ?Design and implement a community needs assessment to identify existing services and linkages, address gaps and barriers to services, and make recommendations to support seamless transitions from prisons to community-based AIDS services. ?Process and outcome evaluation to ensure efficacy and program replication.

Keywords: AEGIS, Prisons, HIV Infections, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.), Health Services Needs and Demand, Criminal Law, Public Health Administration, Health Resources, Patient Discharge, Public Health, Social Support, Texas, prevention & controlKWDaegis,prisons,hivinfections,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hivseropositivity,centersfordiseasecontrolandprevention(uKWDsKWD),healthservicesneedsanddemand,criminallaw,publichealthadministration,healthresources,patientdischarge,publichealth,socialsupport,texas,prevention&control

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E11442

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.