Developing practical "tips" for HIV/AIDS service delivery in local jails.

Abstract

Numerous national, state, and local public health and correctional organizations and others recognize the important roles that community-based organizations and other agencies play in meeting the needs of persons incarcerated within local correctional facilities. Yet to date, there has been little, if any, guidance offered to community-based organizations about how best to approach local correctional facilities. This article discusses the process and outcomes of a collaborative process. Practical advice was drawn from the actual experiences of corrections staff, community-based organizations, and other agencies, including health departments, that are providing services in local correctional facilities. The product of this collaboration, a booklet entitled "How to Gain Access to County Jails for Delivery of HIV/AIDS Services: A Guide for Community-Based Organizations," outlines strategies for success that can be used to facilitate service delivery to incarcerated individuals with multiple primary and preventive health needs.