Integrating HIV-Prevention Strategies in a Therapeutic Community Work-Release Program for Criminal Offenders

In: The prison journal: the official publication of the Pennsylvania Prison Society, Band 78, Heft 3, S. 232-243

Abstract

The increasing number of drug-involved offenders under the supervision of the criminal justice system offers a unique opportunity for HIV risk-reduction intervention. This article discusses the HIV risk factors of a cohort court-ordered to attend a 6-month work-release drug treatment program. The treatment paradigm is the therapeutic community, and privileges and freedom increase as inmates progress through the program. Inmates are followed up at 6, 18, and 42 months after program entry, and their HIV risk behaviors are again assessed. Analyses show greater changes in risk behaviors in the treatment cohort compared to a cohort completing a similar work-release program without a treatment component.