Correctional Health Education Resources

Key points

  • Health education is important for everyone.
  • Those involved in the justice system and staff at correctional and detention facilities have a higher need for information about risk and the importance of prevention and treatment for some diseases, conditions and injuries.
  • These health education materials can be shared with people who are incarcerated and their families, as well as community-based reentry assistance programs, to help individuals prevent and receive treatment for these diseases and conditions.

Health education materials

A woman with gray hair and an orange shirt is in a discussion with a doctor in a white coat facing away from the camera.
Healthcare professionals provide consultations to people who are incarcerated.

HIV

  • Preventing HIV – Contains resources that provide information on the various risk behaviors and various prevention methods that can be utilized to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV, including a poster on HIV and Injecting Drugs 101.
  • HIV Treatment: The Basics – Find basic information on HIV treatment that can be used to develop education material.
  • Fast Facts: HIV in the United States – These HIV fact sheets provide data about how HIV affects specific populations in the United States and information about HIV risk behaviors, prevention tools, testing, and more.

Viral hepatitis

Sexually transmitted diseases

  • Fact Sheets – Contains basic fact sheets (plain language for the public) and detailed fact sheets for physicians and individuals with specific questions about sexually transmitted diseases. This information can be used to develop educational materials.
  • National Network of STD Clinical Prevention Training Centers (NNPTC) – This page provides links to a group of CDC-funded regional centers created in partnership with health departments and universities. The centers develop, disseminate, and evaluate training and training assistance to improve STD care at the clinical provider, healthcare organization, and system levels.

Tuberculosis / Latent tuberculosis infection

Lice and scabies

  • Typhus Fevers Basics – Learn about the types, causes, spread, and treatment of Typhus. Includes information specific to health care providers.
  • About Bartonella – A page on information on the types, causes, spread, and treatment of Bartonella.

Traumatic brain injury

  • Traumatic Brain Injury in Prisons and Jails: An Unrecognized Problem – Many people in prisons and jails are living with traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related problems that complicate their management and treatment while they are incarcerated. This handout includes information on TBI-related problems that may affect people with TBI in correctional and detention facilities and strategies to help support these individuals.

Other resources

  • MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine) – An online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.
  • National Prevention Information Network (CDC) – An information and resource platform connecting public health partners through collaborative communication and innovative technology solutions for HIV, viral hepatitis, STDs, TB, and adolescent and school health.

State, federal and organizational resources

A female doctor with a stethoscope around her neck.
Healthcare professionals are dedicated to improving health outcomes for persons who are incarcerated.

In matters of correctional health, Health Department Directories typically have jurisdiction and provide public health guidance to correctional facilities (local, state, federal, and private) within their health district. Administering correctional health is complex and involves the cooperation of medical professionals, correctional facilities and staff, public health agencies, families, communities, advocates for persons who are incarcerated, and other state and federal partners.

There are many professional organizations, federal agencies, and international organizations dedicated to improving health outcomes for persons who are incarcerated. Use the resources below to get more information about some of these organizations, national statistics, policy guidance, and best practices related to correctional health.

State and federal organizations

Accreditation, academic and professional organizations

Research regulations

Research studies in correctional settings can advance legislation, policies, and practices that improve health interventions and outcomes. Protections and ethical considerations must be met to conduct research among people who are justice-involved. The resources below can inform researchers about how to conduct research ethically and responsibly among persons who are incarcerated.

Government agencies

Related publications