Wyoming Department of Health and Wyoming Department of Corrections Partnership for Communicable Disease Prevention

Background: Prior to 2010 the partnership between the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) Communicable Disease section and the Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOC) was limited, however during CY 2010 and 2011 focus has been aimed at building this partnership and targeting prevention efforts towards the Wyoming correction population. 

Objectives: To describe the implementation of the Safer Sex Kit Program, the Inmate Hepatitis Vaccine Program, and prevention efforts directed towards WDOC prison staff, and inmate population. 

Methods: In 2010, the WDH Communicable disease section, in collaboration with the WDOC, implemented two programs aimed at the education and prevention of STD’s, HIV, and Viral Hepatitis towards inmates currently incarcerated in a Wyoming State Prison. 

Results: From September 1, 2010 to October 10, 2011 all five WDOC state prison facilities, and one substance abuse treatment facility has implemented the safer sex kit program, and providing communicable disease 101 presentations for releasing inmates.  As of September 2011 a total of 175 kits have been handed out.  Starting in September 2011, four of the five WDOC state prison facilities have implemented the inmate hepatitis vaccine program, with a total of 650 inmates started on the Hepatitis A, B or Twinrix vaccine schedules.  

Conclusions:  Providing inmates with safer sex kits upon release of a state prison facility connects them to a public health/family planning clinic in a Wyoming community, as well as provides them risk reduction materials to protect themselves from communicable diseases. Providing inmates an opportunity to receive Hepatitis A and B vaccine while incarcerated and increase knowledge about harm reduction activities. 

Implications for Programs, Policy, and Research: The partnership with the WDH communicable disease section and the WYDOC is crucial for communicable disease prevention in the correctional population.  With the majority of incarcerated individuals being released into the community, good prison health is good public health.