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Public Health Collaborations in a Corrections Setting: New York City's Model

NCJ Number
207664
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 66 Issue: 6 Dated: October 2004 Pages: 118-119,123
Author(s)
Roger K. Parris
Date Published
October 2004
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A reorganization of health care for inmates in New York City has created an opportunity for the Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to collaborate in the implementation of public health initiatives.
Abstract
Since July 2003, the New York City health department has had direct responsibility for jail-based correctional health services. By identifying common goals, the health department and the DOC enjoy a collaborative relationship. Countering HIV in the jail population is one of those goals. The new Rapid HIV Testing Program allows the health department to conduct pretest counseling, administer the test, and obtain a result within the hour. Education, counseling, and treatment can begin prior to the receipt of a confirmatory result for those who initially test positive. Collaboration is also evident in treating mentally ill inmates. The management, treatment, and discharge planning for this population has required significant cooperation between the two agencies. Another public health collaboration recently initiated is the visitor outreach program, whereby health department staff provide health information to jail visitors as well as guidance for enrollment into health insurance programs. Also, the health department has established the Office of Correctional Public Health to enhance the public health focus in current clinical services, assist in establishing links with the broader public health community both inside and outside the health department, and contribute to improved health care for both inmates and the larger community.