Accessing ART After Imprisonment

A large proportion of HIV-infected people in the U.S. pass through the correctional system each year — the estimate for 1997 was approximately 25%. Identification and treatment of infected prison inmates is critical for an effective response to the epidemic. Although many inmates are successfully treated for HIV infection while in prison, how well do they do in accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART) after their release? To find out, investigators determined the proportion of individuals who filled an ART prescription in a timely fashion after release from the Texas prison system.

A total of 2115 inmates receiving ART were released between 2004 and 2007; each received a 10-day supply of medications on the day of release and was instructed to …