The prevention of tuberculosis in prison staff

The Joint Tuberculosis Committee of the British Thoracic Society (BTS) recommends that all new prison staff be screened for tuberculosis (TB) as 'at risk' health workers. This study of prisons in the West Midlands area of England shows that there are considerable variations in the practice of TB control amongst prison staff and that the recommendations of the BTS committee are not routinely implemented. The study highlights the need for a routine and robust system of TB surveillance and prevention amongst prison staff which can be applied nationwide.