TB in Correctional Facilities in the United States
Background
In 2019, approximately 3% of TB cases reported in the United States occurred among people who were incarcerated at the time of diagnosis. The incarcerated population contains a high proportion of people at greater risk for TB than the overall population.
TB Control in Correctional Facilities
Effective TB prevention and control measures in correctional facilities include:
- Early identification of persons with TB disease through entry and periodic follow-up screening;
- Successful treatment of TB disease and latent TB infection;
- Appropriate use of airborne precautions (e.g., airborne infection isolation, environmental controls, and respiratory protection);
- Comprehensive discharge planning; and
- Thorough and efficient contact investigations when a TB case has been identified.
These measures should be instituted in close collaboration with local or state health department TB-control programs and other key partners. Continuing education of inmates, detainees, and correctional facility staff is necessary to maximize cooperation and participation. To ensure TB prevention and control measures are effective, periodic program evaluation should be conducted.
Data on TB in Correctional Facilities
Surveillance data
Epidemiology of Tuberculosis in Correctional Facilities, United States, 1993-2017 (slide set)
This slide set provides a summary of TB cases in a correctional facility at the time of diagnosis for the years 1993 through 2017.
Resources on TB and Correctional Facilities
- CDC Recommendations
- Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Correctional and Detention Facilities; Recommendations from CDC MMWR 2006; 55 (No, RR-09, 1-44)
- Tuberculosis in Correctional Settings: What Corrections Staff Need to Know (Slide Set)
- Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Correctional and Detention Facilities (Slide Set)
- CDC Correctional and Public Health Resources by State
- Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center: Arresting TB: Understanding the Culture of Correctionsexternal icon
- National TB Controllers Association (NTCA) CorrectTB Resourcesexternal icon
For additional CDC resources on TB, see Patient and General Public Materials and Health Care Providers and TB Program Materials.
- Interim Guidance on Management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Correctional and Detention Facilities
- American Correctional Associationexternal icon
- Find TB Resources- Education Materials for TB in Corrections
- Federal Bureau of Prisonsexternal icon
- National Commission on Correctional Healthcareexternal icon
- National Institute of Correctionsexternal icon
- National Institute of Justiceexternal icon
- National TB Controllers Associationexternal icon (Corrections Committee)
- United States Department of Justiceexternal icon
- United States Immigration and Customs Enforcementexternal icon