Enhancing Linkages to HIV Primary Care in Jail Settings: Report on a Consultants' Meeting

More than 750,000 individuals are held in the nation's jails each day, but over 9 million pass through jails each year. The high turnover presents both opportunities and challenges in providing HIV testing in jails and linking HIV-infected inmates to services during incarceration and after release. Helping high-risk individuals in jails learn their HIV status and linking them to care is an important public health opportunity. The Health Resources and Services Administration is sponsoring a Special Projects of National Significance initiative to enhance linkages to primary care in jail settings through local demonstration projects. The Rollins School of Public Health and Abt Associates serve as the evaluation and support center for the initiative. A consultancy meeting was convened to review program models and strategies for HIV testing and linkages to HIV care in jails and in the community. This report highlights the critical issues that must be considered in implementing the demonstrations.