Evaluation of Services and Resources Available to Downstate Illinois Inmates Infected with HIV/AIDS

The rate of HIV/AIDS in the incarcerated population is substantially higher than in the general population. While there have been reports for a few states describing plans with viable treatment options, little is known about the treatments available to this population in downstate Illinois. The purpose of this study was to investigate what services and resources are available to the jailed downstate Illinois population. Telephone interviews were conducted with key employees of local correctional facilities who had information on services provided to inmates with HIV/AIDS. Of the 102 facilities, there were 87 (85%) participants who responded. HIV testing was provided at 77% of the jails in downstate Illinois, 70% offered counseling, and almost one quarter of the facilities use the local health department as their resource of choice for inmate HIV counseling and testing (24.49%). Condoms were provided at only 6% of the sites. These findings show a deficit in education, treatment, and prevention of HIV/AIDS transmission in Illinois jail facilities. This information may be used to identify areas where further funding and training would benefit the community.