Emerging
Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.

COVID-19 Cases and Testing in 53 Prison Systems

Lemasters, K., McCauley, E., Nowotny, K., Brinkley-Rubinstein, L.

Release Date:

Peer Review Study

Data Collection and Analysis
Healthcare Access and Quality
Neighborhood and Built Environment
Tools Included
Outside U.S.
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Data Collection and Reporting

This study examines the impact that COVID-19 has on incarcerated populations by analyzing systematic data on testing, test positivity, cases, and case fatality. Using data from the COVID Prison Project, the study presents data from 53 prison systems and compares these data with each state’s general population. Many states were not reporting full information on COVID-19 testing with some also not reporting on case fatality. Among those reporting data, there was wide variation between testing, test positivity, and case rates within prison systems and as compared to the general population. However, when more tests were deployed, more cases were identified, with the majority of state prisons having higher case rates than their general population.

Resource Details

Outcomes of Interest

Improve Data Infrastructure

Priority Population(s)

People Who Are Incarcerated

Setting(s) of Implementation

Correctional Facility

Geographic Area of Implementation

Implementation Period

2020