Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control in Canadian Federal Penitentiaries 2000-01

Publications

Infectious Diseases
Prevention and Control
in Canadian Federal
Penitentiaries 2000-01

BACKGROUND

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is responsible for the administration of correctional sentences of two years or more and for the preparation of offenders for their successful return and reintegration into the community. CSC operates 53 correctional institutions, which include minimum-, medium-, maximum- and multi-level security facilities in five regions (Figure 1). Five of the 53 facilities are dedicated to women offenders and are located in the Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, and Prairie Regions. In the Pacific Region, women offenders are housed in a provincial facility through an Exchange of Service Agreement with the province of British Columbia. In addition, a small number of women offenders are held in dedicated sections of men institutions in several CSC regions (see Appendix III). Women comprised approximately 3% of the total incarcerated population in CSC facilities in 2000-2001.

CSC Health Services

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CSC Health Services Branch provides essential health services for persons convicted of federal offences. CSC has implemented several initiatives aimed at preventing the transmission of infectious diseases and at reducing the harm associated with high-risk behaviours. For example, confidential, voluntary testing for HIV, hepatitis B and C, STDs and TB is offered to all inmates, along with appropriate pre- and post-test counselling and treatment. Voluntary testing is actively encouraged for all offenders upon admission as well as for all general population inmates. In addition, testing is available upon request by an inmate throughout his/her sentence, by recommendation of the health care professional, as part of contact tracing, upon clinical indication of infection, or after involvement in an incident where exposure to an infectious agent may have occurred. Educational materials and programs for offenders and staff are also made widely available. Harm-reduction initiatives include the provision of condoms, dental dams, water-based lubricants and bleach in all institutions. Immunization for hepatitis A and hepatitis B and a methadone maintenance program serve to complement infection control strategies. All inmates diagnosed with an infectious disease are clinically assessed for appropriate monitoring, treatment, and care.

CSC Infectious Diseases Surveillance System

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The CSC-IDSS was developed and is supported by CSC Health Services Branch at National Headquarters (CSC-NHQ). Data collected by the CSC-IDSS originate at the Health Care Services Unit of each federal correctional facility. All federal penitentiaries nationwide currently report infectious diseases surveillance data on inmates. The CSC-IDSS is considered representative of the federal inmate population to the extent that it covers all inmates who come forward for testing. All participating sites use common case definitions for disease notification and a standardized electronic or paper-based reporting method.

CSC-NHQ Health Services Branch plans to disseminate health surveillance data regularly as part of its report on Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control in Canadian Federal Penitentiaries.