Medical and correctional professionals have only recently begun to realize the extent to which chronic and infectious disease, mental illness, and substance abuse are concentrated in the correctional system. This situation presents an enormous public health opportunity. In response, the Hampden County Correctional Center has developed a public health model of correctional health care that emphasizes five essential elements to address the needs of this at risk population: thorough screening and detection, early and effective treatment, patient education, prevention, and continuity of care which provides continued treatment post discharge. In order to study and document measurable benefits and outcomes of this model, the Hampden County Correctional Center has undertaken a three-year research and evaluation project sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Justice, and the Soros Foundation. The main research goal of the project is to assess whether the model creates any significant health and behavioral changes in the lives of inmates who have been incarcerated at the Hampden County Correctional Center. We will also assess the economic and epidemiological impact of the program. Relevant data will be collected at the beginning of an inmate’s incarceration and at one month and six months following their release. By the fall of 2000, we expect to have gathered and analyzed a significant amount of data. We propose, therefore, to present preliminary results of the evaluation and to discuss issues in evaluation design that emerged in the context of this research effort.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants (learners)will be able to: 1. Describe the hyperprevalence of disease, substance abuse and mental illness in correctional institutions. 2. Describe the five essential features of a Public Health Model that addresses the needs of chronically ill inmates and the communities to which they return. 3. Appreciate the importance of Public Health and Corrections collaborations. 4. Evaluate the impact of health care intervention/prevention programs and the methodological issues that arise in the context of such evaluations
Keywords: Correctional Health Care, Public Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Hampden County Correctional Center
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.