Date: Fri, 20 May 94 10:08:46 EDT From: carter@drum.ncsc.org (Carter E. Bing) X-Url: gopher://uacsc2.albany.edu/00/newman/crjbjs/hivasccd.rpt HIV in U.S. Prisons and Jails September 1993 NCJ-143292 Full text with s available from: Bureau of Justice Statistics Clearinghouse 800-732-3277 Box 179 Annapolis Junction, MD. 20701-0179 Because of their comparatively high rates of drug abuse, jail and prison inmates are at greater risk of contracting AIDS. In 1991 an estimated 1 in 4 State prisoners had been using cocaine or crack in the month before their imprisonment offense and about 1 in 10 reported use of heroin or other opiates. During their lives, nearly 1 in 4 State prisoners had used a needle to inject illegal drugs. This report provides the most recent information from BJS statistical programs covering State prisons and the largest jails nationwide on AIDS testing and the prevalence of AIDS and HIV seropositivity. It also provides information from State prisoners reporting on their personal characteristics and how these relate to HIV test results. Nationwide, prison authorities in 1991 reported that 2.2% of those confined in State and Federal facilities had tested positive for HIV. That same year, in a nationally representative sample survey of State prisoners, 2.2% were estimated to be HIV positive, based upon interviews with prisoners. These comparable rates suggest that important and useful information about HIV exposure can be reliably obtained from prisoners. On behalf of the Bureau, I express appreciation to authorities at the Centers for Disease Control for guidance in developing questions in our collection instruments and to State and local correctional authorities who supplied data. I also thank the nearly 14,000 inmates participating in our survey in 1991. Lawrence A. Greenfeld Acting Director HIV in U.S. Prisons and Jails Caroline Wolf Harlow, Ph.D. BJS Statistician In 1991, 2.2% of Federal and State prison inmates -- 17,479 of 792,176 inmates held in U.S. prisons -- were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS. Of the total prison population 0.6% exhibited symptoms of HIV infection, including 0.2% with confirmed AIDS. This report uses data from three Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) data series. Some information on prisoners with HIV comes from the annual reports made by State and Federal correctional authorities (National Prisoner Statistics or NPS). Other data on prisoner characteristics and drug use resulted from interviews with inmates (1991 Survey of Inmates in State Correctional Facilities). Jail data were provided by the Nation's 503 largest jail jurisdictions (1992 Annual Survey of Jails). Additional findings about HIV in U.S. prisons and jails include the following: *State prisons reported 2.3% of inmates were HIV positive, and Federal Prisons reported 1.0%. *Of HIV-positive inmates in State or Federal prison, 9.6% had confirmed AIDS. In State prisons in the West, 21.1% of HIV cases had AIDS. *All prison jurisdictions tested at least some inmates for HIV; 17 tested all prisoners. *In 1991, 28% of all deaths in State and Federal prisons were attribu to AIDS. Between July 1, 1991, and June 30, 1992, 24% of deaths in jails were AIDS related. *In 1991, about 51% of State prison inmates reported having been tested for HIV and knowing the results. *In 1991, among those prison inmates tested, an estimated 3.3% of women, 3.7% of Hispanics, and 3.7% of those between age 35 and 44 tested positive to HIV. *In 1991, an estimated 0.8% of tested prison inmates who said they never used drugs were HIV positive, as were 2.5% who ever used drugs, 4.9% who used needles to inject drugs, and 7.1% who shared needles. Data sources The NPS-1 program includes midyear and yearend numbers and movements of prison inmates, provided to BJS by the departments of corrections in the 50 States and the District of Columbia and by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. In 1991 questions were added to the yearend report to determine the numbers of HIV-positive prisoners and the department policies on testing for the virus. The 1991 Survey of Inmates in State Correctional Facilities questioned a nationally representative sample of almost 14,000 State prisoners about current offenses, prior drug use and treatment, personal characteristics, and other aspects of their life. Questions on whether prisoners had ever been tested for HIV and the results of the test were included in the interviews. The Annual Survey of Jails obtains data on populations and movements of jail inmates. The sample includes all jail jurisdictions with 100 or more inmates and a sample of smaller jurisdictions. The 503 large jail jurisdictions provide figures on deaths in jails. In 1992, the jurisdictions that were the largest in 1991 were asked to indicate their policies for testing for HIV and numbers of HIV prisoners they were holding on June 30, 1992. (For further description of data sources, see Methodology.) Prevalence of HIV infection in U.S. prisons In 1991, 2.2% of Federal and State prison inmates were reported to have the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. In State prisons, 2.3% of inmates were reported testing HIV-positive; in Federal prisons, 1.0%. Of the total prison population, 0.6% showed symptoms of HIV infection, including 0.2% with confirmed AIDS. States reporting the highest percentage of prisoners infected with HIV were New York (13.8%), Connecticut (5.4%), Massachusetts (5.3%), New Jersey (4.0%), Rhode Island (3.5%), and Georgia (3.4%). Twenty-nine States reported less than 1.0%. The percentage of inmates in prison on December 31, 1991, and known to be HIV positive is related in part to the testing policies of the individual prisons or departments of corrections. States in the Northeast led the country in the percentage of inmates known to be infected with the HIV (8.1%). Five of the six States with the highest rates of HIV-positive prisoners were in the Northeast. By contrast, States in the Midwest and West had less than 1% of prisoners with HIV. Of the inmates who tested HIV-positive, 73.0% of them were asymptomatic and 17.3% had symptoms but had not developed AIDS. The remaining 9.7% had AIDS. The West had the highest percentage of HIV-positive inmates with confirmed AIDS (21.1%), compared to the Northeast (8.8%), Midwest (11.3%), and South (6.7%). Prison policies for testing for HIV All the States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons tested inmates for HIV on some basis. Seventeen jurisdictions tested all prisoners, either at admission, release, or during custody. The remaining 35 jurisdictions tested at least some inmates. Thirty-nine of the 52 jurisdictions tested if asked by an inmate and 40 if an inmate exhibited symptoms suggestive of HIV infection. Number of Testing policy jurisdictions All incoming inmates 16 HIV in U.S. Prisons and Jails September 1993 NCJ-143292 Full text with s available from: Bureau of Justice Statistics Clearinghouse 800-732-3277 Box 179 Annapolis Junction, MD. 20701-0179 Because of their comparatively high rates of drug abuse, jail and prison inmates are at greater risk of contracting AIDS. In 1991 an estimated 1 in 4 State prisoners had been using cocaine or crack in the month before their imprisonment offense and about 1 in 10 reported use of heroin or other opiates. During their lives, nearly 1 in 4 State prisoners had used a needle to inject illegal drugs. This report provides the most recent information from BJS statistical programs covering State prisons and the largest jails nationwide on AIDS testing and the prevalence of AIDS and HIV seropositivity. It also provides information from State prisoners reporting on their personal characteristics and how these relate to HIV test results. Nationwide, prison authorities in 1991 reported that 2.2% of those confined in State and Federal facilities had tested positive for HIV. That same year, in a nationally representative sample survey of State prisoners, 2.2% were estimated to be HIV positive, based upon interviews with prisoners. These comparable rates suggest that important and useful information about HIV exposure can be reliably obtained from prisoners. On behalf of the Bureau, I express appreciation to authorities at the Centers for Disease Control for guidance in developing questions in our collection instruments and to State and local correctional authorities who supplied data. I also thank the nearly 14,000 inmates participating in our survey in 1991. Lawrence A. Greenfeld Acting Director HIV in U.S. Prisons and Jails Caroline Wolf Harlow, Ph.D. BJS Statistician In 1991, 2.2% of Federal and State prison inmates -- 17,479 of 792,176 inmates held in U.S. prisons -- were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS. Of the total prison population 0.6% exhibited symptoms of HIV infection, including 0.2% with confirmed AIDS. This report uses data from three Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) data series. Some information on prisoners with HIV comes from the annual reports made by State and Federal correctional authorities (National Prisoner Statistics or NPS). Other data on prisoner characteristics and drug use resulted from interviews with inmates (1991 Survey of Inmates in State Correctional Facilities). Jail data were provided by the Nation's 503 largest jail jurisdictions (1992 Annual Survey of Jails). Additional findings about HIV in U.S. prisons and jails include the following: *State prisons reported 2.3% of inmates were HIV positive, and Federal Prisons reported 1.0%. *Of HIV-positive inmates in State or Federal prison, 9.6% had confirmed AIDS. In State prisons in the West, 21.1% of HIV cases had AIDS. *All prison jurisdictions tested at least some inmates for HIV; 17 tested all prisoners. *In 1991, 28% of all deaths in State and Federal prisons were attribu to AIDS. Between July 1, 1991, and June 30, 1992, 24% of deaths in jails were AIDS related. *In 1991, about 51% of State prison inmates reported having been tested for HIV and knowing the results. *In 1991, among those prison inmates tested, an estimated 3.3% of women, 3.7% of Hispanics, and 3.7% of those between age 35 and 44 tested positive to HIV. *In 1991, an estimated 0.8% of tested prison inmates who said they never used drugs were HIV positive, as were 2.5% who ever used drugs, 4.9% who used needles to inject drugs, and 7.1% who shared needles. Data sources The NPS-1 program includes midyear and yearend numbers and movements of prison inmates, provided to BJS by the departments of corrections in the 50 States and the District of Columbia and by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. In 1991 questions were added to the yearend report to determine the numbers of HIV-positive prisoners and the department policies on testing for the virus. The 1991 Survey of Inmates in State Correctional Facilities questioned a nationally representative sample of almost 14,000 State prisoners about current offenses, prior drug use and treatment, personal characteristics, and other aspects of their life. Questions on whether prisoners had ever been tested for HIV and the results of the test were included in the interviews. The Annual Survey of Jails obtains data on populations and movements of jail inmates. The sample includes all jail jurisdictions with 100 or more inmates and a sample of smaller jurisdictions. The 503 large jail jurisdictions provide figures on deaths in jails. In 1992, the jurisdictions that were the largest in 1991 were asked to indicate their policies for testing for HIV and numbers of HIV prisoners they were holding on June 30, 1992. (For further description of data sources, see Methodology.) Prevalence of HIV infection in U.S. prisons In 1991, 2.2% of Federal and State prison inmates were reported to have the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. In State prisons, 2.3% of inmates were reported testing HIV-positive; in Federal prisons, 1.0%. Of the total prison population, 0.6% showed symptoms of HIV infection, including 0.2% with confirmed AIDS. States reporting the highest percentage of prisoners infected with HIV were New York (13.8%), Connecticut (5.4%), Massachusetts (5.3%), New Jersey (4.0%), Rhode Island (3.5%), and Georgia (3.4%). Twenty-nine States reported less than 1.0%. The percentage of inmates in prison on December 31, 1991, and known to be HIV positive is related in part to the testing policies of the individual prisons or departments of corrections. States in the Northeast led the country in the percentage of inmates known to be infected with the HIV (8.1%). Five of the six States with the highest rates of HIV-positive prisoners were in the Northeast. By contrast, States in the Midwest and West had less than 1% of prisoners with HIV. Of the inmates who tested HIV-positive, 73.0% of them were asymptomatic and 17.3% had symptoms but had not developed AIDS. The remaining 9.7% had AIDS. The West had the highest percentage of HIV-positive inmates with confirmed AIDS (21.1%), compared to the Northeast (8.8%), Midwest (11.3%), and South (6.7%). Prison policies for testing for HIV All the States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons tested inmates for HIV on some basis. Seventeen jurisdictions tested all prisoners, either at admission, release, or during custody. The remaining 35 jurisdictions tested at least some inmates. Thirty-nine of the 52 jurisdictions tested if asked by an inmate and 40 if an inmate exhibited symptoms suggestive of HIV infection. Number of Testing policy jurisdictions All incoming inmates 16