Incarcerated Populations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that, in 2010, the rate of HIV diagnoses among incarcerated populations was five times higher than the rate among people who were not incarcerated in state and federal prisons. Most incarcerated persons become infected with HIV in their communities rather than in corrections facilities.

The CDC has funded health departments to provide HIV prevention services in jails and prisons and community-based pilots to study effective interventions for incarcerated populations. Rural HIV/AIDS programs are reaching incarcerated populations by visiting corrections facilities and youth detention centers and providing education about HIV.

Resources to Learn More

HIV Among Incarcerated Populations
Website 
A discussion of HIV rates of infection among incarcerated populations. Includes prevention challenges in this population, CDC efforts, and additional resources.
Organization(s): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

HIV Testing Implementation Guidance for Corrections Settings
Document
Focuses on the implementation of opt-out HIV testing in correctional settings.
Organization(s): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Date: 1/2009