Areas surrounding Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison facilities have higher HIV rates than those that do not, according to a study released last spring.There could be a third possibility: Perhaps the relationship isn't between prisoners and the outlying community, but prison staff. There are only four regional release facilities where prisoners exit TDCJ, and most do so with a bus ticket back to their county of conviction where they have an appointment already set with their parole officer. If there's a correlation between HIV rates and prisons beyond those four facilities, perhaps it's because of prison staff, not the inmates. Who knows?
Walker County was among those listed with high HIV rates in a study published in “The Professional Geographer” academic journal in May 2013. The study titled “Vulnerable places: prison locations, socioeconomic status, and HIV infection in Texas” found that in ZIP codes with TDCJ prisons, HIV rates were significantly higher than those farther from the prisons.
“This is an important finding and suggests that prison facility locations might be considered a risk marker for places that are vulnerable to HIV infection and spread,” the study reads. “Prioritizing them for HIV surveillance and intervention will reduce the rate of new infections and help to accomplish the goals of (the National HIV/AIDS Strategy).”
The area in and around Walker County has the highest number of prison facilities in the state — a total of seven and also elevated HIV rates — according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The TDSHS report from 2012 lists the HIV rate (cumulative number of people diagnosed) in Walker County as 150 per 100,000. The national rate sits at about 16 while the rate in Texas is slightly higher at 16.4, they say using data from the U.S. Census.
“The results ... indicate that areas in close proximity to TDCJ units have lower socioeconomic status and [higher] rates of HIV,” the study reads. “With increasing distance from TDCJ prison units, the HIV infection rate of the general public decreases.”
Huntsville was also listed in the top 25 cities (tied for 20th highest) in Texas in HIV infection and AIDS diagnoses, according to the TDSHS.
The researchers explain in the article that there isn’t a definite cause for this finding — likening it to a chicken-and-egg scenario.
“Do TDCJ facilities create high HIV rates by releasing prisoners (known to have high HIV rates) into the community or do TDCJ facilities locate in areas with high HIV rates?” the researchers ask. “There might not be an answer to this question.”
Notably, reported the Item, "Both TDCJ and state HIV totals have risen in the last 15 years. In 1996, TDCJ accounted for 1,377 inmates that were positive for the disease. In 2009, (the most recent data on TDCJ’s website) 2,453 inmates were positive for the virus." TDCJ doesn't test inmates for HIV while they're locked up unless they request it, but "inmates are tested prior to discharge to help set up HIV care while the inmate is transitioning from correctional care to the general public." If there's any sort of causal relationship going on here, it's going to be difficult to decipher.
Areas
surrounding Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison facilities have
higher HIV rates than those that do not, according to a study released
last spring.
Walker County was among those listed with high HIV rates in a study published in “The Professional Geographer” academic journal in May 2013. The study titled “Vulnerable places: prison locations, socioeconomic status, and HIV infection in Texas” found that in ZIP codes with TDCJ prisons, HIV rates were significantly higher than those farther from the prisons.
“This is an important finding and suggests that prison facility locations might be considered a risk marker for places that are vulnerable to HIV infection and spread,” the study reads. “Prioritizing them for HIV surveillance and intervention will reduce the rate of new infections and help to accomplish the goals of (the National HIV/AIDS Strategy).”
The area in and around Walker County has the highest number of prison facilities in the state — a total of seven and also elevated HIV rates — according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The TDSHS report from 2012 lists the HIV rate (cumulative number of people diagnosed) in Walker County as 150 per 100,000. The national rate sits at about 16 while the rate in Texas is slightly higher at 16.4, they say using data from the U.S. Census.
“The results ... indicate that areas in close proximity to TDCJ units have lower socioeconomic status and rates of HIV,” the study reads. “With increasing distance from TDCJ prison units, the HIV infection rate of the general public decreases.”
Huntsville was also listed in the top 25 cities (tied for 20th highest) in Texas in HIV infection and AIDS diagnoses, according to the TDSHS.
The researchers explain in the article that there isn’t a definite cause for this finding — likening it to a chicken-and-egg scenario.
“Do TDCJ facilities create high HIV rates by releasing prisoners (known to have high HIV rates) into the community or do TDCJ facilities locate in areas with high HIV rates?” the researchers ask. “There might not be an answer to this question.” - See more at: http://www.itemonline.com/local/x1186916587/HIV-rates-higher-around-TDCJ-prisons#sthash.yi42Q8oJ.dpuf
Walker County was among those listed with high HIV rates in a study published in “The Professional Geographer” academic journal in May 2013. The study titled “Vulnerable places: prison locations, socioeconomic status, and HIV infection in Texas” found that in ZIP codes with TDCJ prisons, HIV rates were significantly higher than those farther from the prisons.
“This is an important finding and suggests that prison facility locations might be considered a risk marker for places that are vulnerable to HIV infection and spread,” the study reads. “Prioritizing them for HIV surveillance and intervention will reduce the rate of new infections and help to accomplish the goals of (the National HIV/AIDS Strategy).”
The area in and around Walker County has the highest number of prison facilities in the state — a total of seven and also elevated HIV rates — according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The TDSHS report from 2012 lists the HIV rate (cumulative number of people diagnosed) in Walker County as 150 per 100,000. The national rate sits at about 16 while the rate in Texas is slightly higher at 16.4, they say using data from the U.S. Census.
“The results ... indicate that areas in close proximity to TDCJ units have lower socioeconomic status and rates of HIV,” the study reads. “With increasing distance from TDCJ prison units, the HIV infection rate of the general public decreases.”
Huntsville was also listed in the top 25 cities (tied for 20th highest) in Texas in HIV infection and AIDS diagnoses, according to the TDSHS.
The researchers explain in the article that there isn’t a definite cause for this finding — likening it to a chicken-and-egg scenario.
“Do TDCJ facilities create high HIV rates by releasing prisoners (known to have high HIV rates) into the community or do TDCJ facilities locate in areas with high HIV rates?” the researchers ask. “There might not be an answer to this question.” - See more at: http://www.itemonline.com/local/x1186916587/HIV-rates-higher-around-TDCJ-prisons#sthash.yi42Q8oJ.dpuf
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9 comments:
I wonder if the story about Harris County's sexual assault and impropriety might shed some light on these results.
Appears this study came from a thesis submitted by a master's student back in 2011.
http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc84234/m2/1/high_res_d/thesis.pdf
TJDO
Are you suggesting TDC officers have a high rate of AIDS? This time you have lost your mind.
How do you explain the data, 5:13?
Well however distasteful you see this it seems they did not build prisons in expensive parts of the state. In south east Texas the population grew around the prisons but for the most part the social economics of these areas is on the lower end. This would suggest a transient population with all the issues associated. If corrections officers were at a higher risk for AIDS im sure this would have been reported on and appropriate legal action by the teamsters and the TPEA.
There is another possibility, and that is that the inmates are counted in the report as residents of Walker County. When the Census rolls around, inmates are counted as residents of the county where they are incarcerated on a specific date so I would have to believe the same is true when the Department of Health and Human Services is logging cases of HIV/AIDS. Most likely, it appears Walker County has an inordinate number of cases because the inmates are being counted as residents of the county.
It has been reported the % of HIV offenders pretty much mirrors the general public. I dont know of any hospital units in Walker Co that would supplement that no# but the premise of AIDS infected employees is silly. Local hospitals and the county health authority should shed light on this. Life style issues and intravenous drug use usualy spike this number. I am a fan and read daily but this premise just does not fly.
The study does not say TDC bosses have HIV. It says there is a higher incidence of HIV in areas with TDCJ units . A lot of TDCJ units are in rural ares with a lot of poverty .If you look at the primary source of income in counties with a lot of TDCJ units Walker , Coryell Falls , Barzoria and other counties it is TDCJ and low income service sector jobs Which should have been mentioned in the study . . Those on parole return to the county of conviction , those who max out are not a part of a study and usually do not live near a prison . Unless it is where they have some form of support many try to find employment that would mean they move closer to a a city or work a in oil fields many of the smaller companies do hire ex cons as they will take a job few want to do it is hard dangerous work with a high turn over most make enough so they can move on ASAP . The prisoners most likely had HIV before incarceration and a if boss or rank has sex with said prisoner they might catch it if they have a open wound I that comes into contact with the prisoners open wound while having sex . Other means of transmission are highly unlikely . Though It is not unheard of a boss and prisoner sharing needles. Tattooing is probably the means of transmission among prisoners . I know that it sex between TDCJ staff and goes on in both male and female units . A lot of it as a way to get out of a disciplinary case or possible more criminal charges . Some are in fact consensual rare but it happens . It is more likely in a area with limited choices for a long term partner in the freeworld and a lot in prison . The more probable reason for the HIV rates are from IV drug use in areas with a lot of poverty . It is a problem not h just in TX counties with TDCJ units but in many ares with low incomes and poverty . Illegal drugs are easily available I would suggest that the high rate of HIV and probably Hep c and other blood borne infections are from IV drug use and unsafe sex among the population itself . A more likely answer is unsafe casual sex and IV drug use.
There is also the problem of the interrelationships between TDCJ employees and LEO in prison towns It is not uncommon for a boss or rank to have a relative in LEO or in the DA's office making prosecution of crimes committed by TDCJ staff very difficult . If the prosecutor knows they wont get a conviction or plea . That would male it easy to obtain and use illegal drugs and use them with out fear of any legal issues .
Prisoners are counted in a US census mostly to gerrymander a district and for federal funds for low income areas .Being indigent by nature they artificiality increase the poverty level and also create a congressional district where one might not exist another topic though . Prisoners as noted leave the county and generally are not treated for HIV If only 2500 give or take are Dxd with HIV that would not inflate one county TDCJ holds over 155,000 prisoners . As mentioned by others TDCJ prisoners are not usually tested for HIV a only those who either request it and it is a long wait . Those who are involved in a assault resulting in a boss having a open wound in a assault not commomn as TDCJ would like you to think of accident on the job causing a a open wound and and they might have to request it in some cases. FWIW Most of the known male HIV positive prisoner are in Stiles or that was the case at one time , some might be in Estelle I believe most HIV positive women are on Carole Young .
.Id suspect it is both unsafe sex and that means heterosexual sex a well as homosexual sex . IV drug use by the free world population is the best explanation .
There was an insinuation in Grits original article about TDC staff. All offenders are given a pre release HIV test. I must also add that Stiles and Carol Young only house the AIDS patients. HIV infected offenders are all over state. I do agree with your explination however.
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