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Fact Sheet Series
Criminal Justice
This series discusses the issue of drug users in
the criminal justice system. It explains the importance of this setting
in reaching drug users with HIV prevention messages and interventions
and looks at some of the challenges involved.
Each fact sheet also provides information on how
to get other materials on preventing HIV and other blood-borne infections
among injection drug users (IDUs).
Drug
Use, HIV, and The Criminal Justice System
About 80 percent of prison and jail inmates have serious substance abuse
problems. Many also have or are at high risk of having HIV or hepatitis.
Substance abuse treatment and HIV services can help inmates and others
under correctional control. They also can help inmates' families, corrections
staff, and the community at large. (PDF)
Drug
Users and the Structure of the Criminal Justice System
The number of injection and other drug users in the criminal justice
system has skyrocketed in recent years. The corrections setting presents
opportunities for many inmates to obtain education, testing, and treatment
services. (PDF)
Substance
Abuse Treatment in the Criminal Justice System
About 80 percent of inmates in correctional facilities have substance
abuse problems. Substance abuse treatment in correctional institutions
can help them. Many facilities provide treatment and education interventions,
but significant gaps remain. (PDF)
Women,
Drug Use, and the Criminal Justice System
Women inmates have consistently higher rates of drug use and HIV infection
than do male inmates. The needs and circumstances of women in prison
and jail require increased emphasis and tailored interventions. (PDF)
HIV/AIDS
Counseling and Testing in the Criminal Justice System
One state found that one-third of all the people who tested positive
for HIV between 1989-1999 were tested at the state prison. Counseling
and testing services are an important opportunity for drug users in
the criminal justice system to find out whether they are infected and
learn how to reduce their risks. (PDF)
Providing
Services to Inmates Living with HIV
One state found that creating a system that took advantage of new therapies
for HIV infection dramatically reduced the prison system's AIDS death
rate. Many correctional facilities provide these therapies, but carrying
out a comprehensive HIV treatment regimen for individual inmates may
be difficult. (PDF)
Helping
Inmates Return to the Community
One of the great challenges for newly released inmates is avoiding a
return to drug use and crime. It's in the best interest of corrections
and communities to provide good transition services to help inmates
return successfully to their communities. (PDF)
Working
with the Criminal Justice System
The reasons for public health, community-based groups, and corrections
to collaborate are numerous and compelling. To do so effectively, each
partner needs to learn the others' priorities, procedures, and funding
and policy constraints. The partners also need to make personal connections
across agency cultures and bureaucracies so that mutual respect and
an openness to finding common approaches can develop. (PDF)
This CDC Web site is no longer being reviewed or updated and thus is no longer kept current. This site remains to assist researchers or others needing historical content.
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