DOI: 10.3886/icpsr06437.v1
title: National Survey of AIDS in Correctional Facilities, 1985-1990, 1992
title: Version 1

description: In late 1985, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) began its first study of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in correctional facilities. The objective of the study was to report on the incidence and institutional management of AIDS within the federal and state prison systems, as well as in the nation's largest jails. The study was conducted annually from 1985-1990 and biannually thereafter. This collection contains data collected in 1985-1990 and 1992 via a mail questionnaire. Questionnaires were sent each year to the correctional departments of all 50 states, the federal prison system, and 33 to 37 large city and county jail systems. In addition, in 1987-1990, Canadian prison systems were surveyed. A different questionnaire was used in each of the seven years of data collection. However, each questionnaire addressed the same major topics: inmate population, numbers of inmate cases of AIDS and AIDS-Related Complex (ARC), aggregate results of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) antibody testing programs, and major policies regarding AIDS (training and education, testing, medical and psycho-social services, housing, precautionary measures, confidentiality), as well as associated legal and cost issues. The 1992 questionnaire collected additional information on the prevalence of and policies toward inmates with tuberculosis.
description: Correctional administrators must address many of the same issues regarding Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) faced by public health and other government officials--education, testing, confidentiality, and prevention of transmission. In addition, they must be concerned with issues specific to corrections--segregated housing, rape, and other violent victimization. In late 1985, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) began its first study of AIDS in correctional facilities. The objective of the study was to report on the incidence and institutional management of AIDS within federal and state prison systems, as well as in the nation's largest jails. The study was conducted annually from 1985-1990 and biannually thereafter. Data were collected to address policy options and the range of correctional practice with respect to testing, housing, medical care, and education programs.
description: Data were collected in 1985-1990 and 1992 via a mail questionnaire. Questionnaires were sent to the correctional departments of all 50 states, the federal prison system, and 33 to 37 large city and county jail systems. In addition, in 1987-1990, Canadian prison systems were surveyed. Questionnaire respondents were assured that data on the incidence of AIDS and related conditions would not be identified by state or jurisdiction. Consequently, no prison system is specifically identified in the data. This dataset contains the responses to the mail questionnaires. The first six years of this study were funded by the National Institute of Justice, and the seventh year was funded by both NIJ and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
description: A different questionnaire was used in each of the seven years of data collection. However, each questionnaire addressed the same major topics: inmate population, numbers of inmate cases of AIDS and AIDS-Related Complex (ARC), aggregate results of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) antibody testing programs, and major policies regarding AIDS (training and education, testing, medical and psycho-social services, housing, precautionary measures, confidentiality), as well as associated legal and cost issues. The 1992 questionnaire collected additional information on the prevalence of and policies toward inmates with tuberculosis.
description: Response Rates: Response rates were 100 percent for state correctional departments and the Federal Bureau of Prisons in each year. Response rates for Canadian systems were 100 percent for years 1987, 1988, and 1990, and 92 percent in 1989. City and county jail response rates varied from 76 percent to 94 percent during the seven years.
description: Presence of Common Scales: None.
description: Datasets: DS0: Study-Level Files DS1: 1985 Data DS2: 1986 Data DS3: 1987 Data DS4: 1988 Data DS5: 1989 Data DS6: 1990 Data DS7: 1992 Data DS9: SAS Data Definition Statements for 1985 Data DS10: SAS Data Definition Statements for 1986 Data DS11: SAS Data Definition Statements for 1987 Data DS12: SAS Data Definition Statements for 1988 Data DS13: SAS Data Definition Statements for 1989 Data DS14: SAS Data Definition Statements for 1990 Data DS15: SAS Data Definition Statements for 1992 Data
description: The universe in each year consisted of the 50 state correctional departments in the United States, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and 33 to 37 large city and county jails. In addition, for 1987-1990, the universe also included selected Canadian prison systems.