The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana Office of Public Health today announced a comprehensive sexually transmitted disease (STD) and HIV screening and treatment program for all incoming and current inmates.
“By screening and treating these individuals as they enter our system, we are making them aware of health conditions they may have never known they had,” said Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman. “More importantly, we are offering them the opportunity to begin health treatment and manage their health situation even after they are released from our custody. With the help of the OPH, we are addressing a health need for our inmates and working to prevent the spread of STDs in the larger community.”
With this current initiative, the OPSO’s Medical Department has created a system to provide access to STD testing for all OPSO inmates. The program will provide comprehensive testing and treatment for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV soon after incarceration. Additionally, it will provide pre- and post-test education and counseling through the OPSO’s partnership with the OPH.
“Access to community resources after an individual’s release from the custody of the OPSO is a significant component of this program,” said Sharon Howard, deputy assistant secretary for the Louisiana Office of Public Health. “Post-release treatment opportunities allow for uninterrupted care, further testing of contacts, and establishment of long-term medical care. Considering the transient nature of many individuals after their release from jail, access to long-term health treatment at Delgado Personal Health Clinic is a huge step in the right direction. This program has incredible potential to improve the lives of these individuals, their partners, and the communities within which they live.”
· First for primary and secondary syphilis.
· Second for gonorrhea cases.
· Seventh for chlamydia cases.
Additionally, Orleans Parish ranked 23rd among all
The goal of this program is to assist citizens in the custody of the OPSO and the community as a whole by preventing transmission and providing treatment and ongoing education. All inmates, current and new, will be given the option to take part in this program.
The following national, state and local agencies have joined with the OPSO and the OPH in its creation and implementation.
The New Orleans Health Department and the OPH will provide for full-time staffing and ongoing laboratory support to assist the OPSO medical staff. Additionally, the OPH will provide follow-up for persons who test positive for an STD and are released prior to receiving their test results.
The Delgado Personal Health Clinic will serve as a referral location for patients who are released prior to receiving their test results. Patients will be able to receive test results and treatment at this location. The clinic is a collaborative effort of LSU School of Medicine, The Office of Public Health and the New Orleans Health Department.
The LSU HIV Outpatient (HOP) Clinic is an established ambulatory care department providing care and treatment of HIV-infected persons, support and coordination for the affected significant others, disease prevention, research and health promotion.
The Office of Health Policy and AIDS Funding ensures that the incarcerated population has continuous access to HIV care and treatment upon release by linking those released from custody to free services.
The New Orleans Regional AIDS Planning Council has provided collaborative support for the group planning. Its mission as the public planning body for Ryan White Part A funds in the New Orleans area is to develop and maintain a comprehensive system of care for people living with HIV in the metropolitan area that is accessible, responsive, culturally sensitive and of the highest quality to ensure that all people living with HIV and AIDS live with dignity.
The Tulane University School of Public Health has provided HIV counseling and testing, project planning, and proposal development and is committed to advancing public health in the
Family Advocacy, Care and Education Services (FACES) of Children’s Hospital provides HIV/AIDS social services in the greater
family-centered.
About the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) operates the Parish jail facilities, providing for the care, custody and control of incarcerated subjects. The Sheriff’s Office executes all writs, orders, and processes of the Traffic, Municipal and Criminal courts. Sheriff’s Deputies are peace officers with the full authority to conduct criminal investigations and make arrests within Orleans Parish.
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For Immediate Release CONTACT: Mary Martin, 504.558.1815, Marc Ehrhardt, 504.558.1845,
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