The PRO-TEST Program: HIV and Hepatitis C Services at the Parole Office

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Criminal Justice Health

Background:

• Parolees in impoverished areas face barriers to accessing essential health services.
• HIV and hepatitis C (hep-C) pose significant health risks within this population.
• Integrating health services into community corrections can improve reach and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation of an on-site HIV and hep-C services program within a parole office.
• To assess the participation and outcomes for both parole officers and supervisees.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of integrated health services in a correctional setting.

Main Methods:

• An on-site program offering education, voluntary testing, and treatment referrals for HIV and hep-C was established.
• Parole officers received training on disease biology and workplace safety.
• Supervisees engaged in educational sessions and received testing and referral services.

Main Results:

• Few supervisees tested positive for HIV.
• A diagnosis rate of 16% for hepatitis C (hep-C) was observed among White individuals.
• The program facilitated collaboration between officers and supervisees in service delivery.

Conclusions:

• On-site health services are crucial for parolees in community corrections.
• Integrated programs can effectively address infectious disease testing and care needs.
• Further implementation of such services is warranted to improve public health outcomes.