Inmates & Communicable Diseases

During a period of incarceration, many prisoners are exposed to dangerous infections. These infections are then spread when prisoners re-enter the general population, posing a major health risk to anyone with which they come in contact. These infections generally consist of a few major diseases, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, MRSA and hepatitis. Increased awareness/education and changes in intake procedures are both solid ways to control the spread of communicable diseases in inmate populations.

MRSA

• Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Areus (MRSA) is a superbug infection that is spread through close contact. MRSA can be difficult to treat due to mutations that have spurred incredible resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics. Poor sanitation in prison laundry facilities and the weak immune systems of those prisoners already in poor health cause more frequent outbreaks among the prison population. Most occurrences of MRSA need to be treated through a surgical drainage procedure and the prescription of stronger antibiotics.

HIV

• Because heterosexual transmission of HIV predominantly infects women, due to their exposure to more body fluids, female inmates have a 10 percent higher prevalence of HIV than the general population, according to reports from the Department of Correctional Systems in New York and Maryland.

  While the number of AIDS deaths has fallen as a result of increased access to antiretroviral drugs for inmates, method of transmission within institutions remains a pressing issue. Homosexual relations, inmate rape and other forms of violence, drug abuse, tattooing and piercing are common modes of transmission within the prison population.

Hepatitis

• Spread by some of the same practices that also spread HIV, hepatitis B and C are much more prevalent than HIV in prison populations. Hepatitis B, which is potentially fatal, is not progressive once initial symptoms are resolved. Hepatitis C, which infects 40 percent of inmates, slowly damages liver cells until death is caused by organ failure or liver cancer. Treatments are lengthy and not appropriate or effective in every case.

Tuberculosis

• Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the greatest risks to the health of inmates, because it is spread by airborne organisms. TB treatment takes six months or longer, causing it to be less effective in transient prison populations. Lack of isolation while contagious and lack of supervision/medical follow-up contribute greatly to this growing problem. While exposure to TB does not necessarily result in active infection, those with compromised immune systems experience faster progression and are highly contagious earlier in the disease process.

Prevention/Solution

• There are several effective solutions that limit the spread of communicable diseases among inmate populations. Security practices that limit access to hygiene facilities, soap and hand sanitizers limit the spread of MRSA. The availability of condoms and bleach to prisoners are controversial measures that might slow the spread of HIV and hepatitis B and C. To catch potential tuberculosis cases earlier, the Los Angeles County Jail system has implemented chest X-rays as an intake screening tool. While these X-rays are more expensive than skin tests, the cost is offset by the advantages of early detection, isolation, and treatment.