Inmate Factors Associated With Hiv Transmission in Prison*

Abstract

Research Summary: The prevalence of AIDS infection is approximately four times higher in state and Federal prisons than among the general U.S. population. It is also apparent that high‐risk HIV transmission behaviors occur inside prison; however, data that validly document cases of HIV transmission in prison are rare. This study uses data from a large sample of state prison inmates and logistic regression to determine what inmate characteristics are associated with contracting HIV inside prison. Findings indicate that inmates who are nonwhite and younger and who have been convicted of sexual crimes and have served longer sentences are more likely to contract HIV inside prison. Policy Implications: Documenting that HIV is transmitted inside prisons justifies the need for additional research and effective prevention strategies. Modeling what types of inmates might be at risk for contracting HIV inside prison can help public and correctional health researchers and officials improve their current prevention practices and ultimately reduce or prevent HIV transmission both inside and outside prison.

HIV, STD, and hepatitis risk behaviors of young men before and after incarceration

“…unprotected sex with casual partners. The relatively low prevalence of sexual activity between men compared to other studies of incarcerated men, (Krebs, 2006;Seal et al, 2007), may have been a function of the overall sample size or assessment modality (i.e. face-to-face interviews) used in this formative study.…”

Examining the Temporal Relationship Between Criminal Justice Involvement and Sexual Risk Behaviors among Drug-Involved Men

“…[38][39][40][41] Even short-term incarceration may expose men to risks such as unprotected sex within the correctional setting or high-risk sexual encounters upon release. [42][43][44] Understanding how arrest and short-term incarceration may impact subsequent unprotected sex is subject to further research which can test these and other hypotheses. Additionally, the findings of this paper should be interpreted with the understanding that not all unprotected sex is equally unsafe.…”

Risk factors for potential occupational exposure to HIV: A study of correctional officers

“…Researchers explained this difference by the disproportionate number of offenders who, before their incarceration, had less access to health care and engaged in intravenous drug use and unprotected sex at a rate higher than the noninstitutionalized population (Alarid & Marquart, 1999;Cotton-Oldenburg, Martin, Jordan, Sadowski, & Kupper, 1997;Macalino, Vlahov, & Sanford-Colby, 2004;Rich, Dickinson, & Macalino, 1999;Spaulding et al, 2002). While the transmission rate was significantly lower in prison than on the streets, prisoners continued to engage in unsafe sexual practices and tattooing behaviors while incarcerated which placed them at risk for contracting HIV during their sentence (Krebs, 2006;Krebs & Simmons, 2002;Wohl, 2006). Given the highly transient nature of the criminal justice system, when county jails were factored in, an estimated one out of four people living with HIV passed through a jail or prison correctional facility in a single year (Spaulding et al, 2002).…”

“…Four risky behaviors known to occur in prison and that may contribute to intraprison HIV transmission were: intravenous drug use, tattooing, anal sex, and oral sex (Krebs, 2006). The statements were worded identically, with the substitution of the behavior "Intravenous drug use by inmates is common at the unit where I now work."…”