Wayne County Jail Rapid STD Testing Program

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

Supported by the Michigan Department of Community Health, the Wayne County Department of Health and Human Services – Jail Health Services Department developed a novel HIV and STD screening program for inmates upon entry into the facility. This program utilizes rapid screening technology and direct DNS probe assays, coordinated interdepartmental and interagency procedures for reporting treating and follow up care. This tactic is unique in that most jails do not implement this type of screening due to limited resources, the lack of coordination between local health department and because their occupants are only in the jail facility for a short period of time. In fact, less than 20 percent of jails screen for HIV and very little information is available on how many jails routinely screen for STDs. The Jail Health Services on-site health care providers offer comprehensive risk assessments, testing, results and post test counseling during that initial point of contact. Reporting of tests, results and case management services occurs through a collaborative effort between the jail, local health departments, the state health department and community service agencies. This program serves as a model for opt-out HIV screening and routine STD programs in jail settings. During the first eighteen months of this program, more than 10,000 in mates were screened for HIV, highlighting a prevalence of approximately 2 percent and a refusal rate of less than 10 percent. Most significantly, 50 percent of the individuals tested have never been tested for HIV.