Other Educational and Supportive Services
Syphilis Education
In response to the increasing incidence of primary and secondary syphilis cases among gay, bi-sexual, and transgender inmates in the Los Angeles County jail system, Center for Health Justice developed a Syphilis Education program to supplement our “Take Charge-Stay Safe” Program. The presentation features facts about Syphilis (including a historical perspective), photos of various disease manifestations, and information about protection and treatment.
Hepatitis C Education
Approximately 3.9 million Americans are infected with Hepatitis C, with an average of 33,000 new infections occurring every year. An estimated 25 to 30% of all HIV-positive persons in the United States are co-infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Risk factors for HCV, such as injection drug use and unsafe tattooing are prevalent among the populations the Center for Health Justice serves. Liver failure from chronic HCV infection is a leading cause of death among incarcerated and post-incarcerated persons, particularly those infected with both diseases.
In an effort to respond to this issue, Center for Health Justice developed a curriculum focusing on Hepatitis C (HCV) and HCV/HIV Co-infection for gay, bi-sexual, and transgender (male to female) inmates at Men’s Central Jail, general population males at Pitchess Detention Center, and with female inmates at Century Regional Detention Facility. Our (HCV) and HCV/HIV Co-infection education program educates inmates about the facts surrounding HCV, encourages testing, teaches safety precautions, and promotes access to anti-HCV therapy when appropriate, either while incarcerated or upon release.
Health Justice Prisoner Hotline
Center for Health Justice has a free national prisoner HIV prevention & treatment hotline service that accepts collect calls from inmates during our regular business hours (Monday-Friday 8 to 5pm). Our hotline allows us to provide general HIV treatment and prevention information, support for callers who are ill or newly diagnosed HIV+, and advocacy support regarding medical care, medications, or other health related issues inside the jails and prisons across the country. In correctional facilities where we currently have programs, prisoners can call the Health Justice Hotline to request a one-on-one counseling session, get a referral for HIV testing in the jails, or to seek assistance on putting together a pre-release health plan.
Peer Educator Training Program
With seed funding from the California Endowment, Center for Health Justice developed a Peer Educator Training Program for male and female inmates at Men’s Central Jail and Century Regional Detention Facility. The goal of the Peer Educator program is to train interested individuals to become Peer Educators while they are incarcerated so that they are empowered to educate others about the facts surrounding HIV, Hepatitis, STD's, safer sex options. Encouraging peer leadership to reduce risky behavior in the incarcerated which, in turn, would reduce new HIV infections is another goal of this unique program.
The Peer Educator Training consists of three components: basic HIV and STD information, safer sex guidelines, and a brief 101 on HIV Treatment. Additionally, topics such as communication skills development and public speaking are also discussed. Upon successful completion of the training, peers receive a certificate, and on-going support to conduct their education activities inside the dorms.
A materials packet and resource guide is provided to Peer Educators to share with their fellow inmates back in the dorms. Each inmate who commits to participating in the Peer Educator program is required to educate a minimum number of their peers upon completion of their training.
Peer educators often are our most successful clients upon release.
