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Novel Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and are in the process of generating evidence of effectiveness or may not yet be tested.
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White Paper/Brief
The report presents the justice system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations for pandemic preparedness in the future. This report discusses the results of the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative’s series of workshops designed to review what lessons have been learned by the justice system’s response to COVID-19, and what response activities could help address broader challenges in the system. The report includes details on successful interventions and provides recommendations for future policies and processes that could be scaled up and sustained.
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.
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Peer Review Study
This is a rapid review of peer-reviewed and grey literature summarizing guidance for the prevention and control of COVID-19 in custodial settings in the first six months of 2020. The review summarizes global recommendations across 19 domains including: preparedness; physical environments; case identification, screening, and management; communication; external access and visitation; psychological and emotional support; recreation, legal, and health service adaptation; decarceration; release and community reintegration; workforce logistics; surveillance and information sharing; independent monitoring; compensatory measures; lifting control measures; evaluation; and key populations/ settings. The authors also identify a few conflicting recommendations.
Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
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Systematic Review/Meta-Analysis
This article summarizes the factors that place incarcerated people at high risk for COVID-19 infection and the effective strategies to reduce transmission and complications due to COVID-19, informed by other infectious disease outbreaks. The authors highlight the role of interagency collaboration, health communication, screening for contagious diseases, restriction, isolation and quarantine, contact tracing, immunisation programmes, epidemiological surveillance, and prison-specific guidelines in managing any outbreaks.
Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
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Peer Review Study
This study compares the effectiveness of 3 interventions implemented in a correctional facility to determine best practices for limiting the spread of COVID-19 to a vulnerable population. The 3 interventions include depopulation, increased single celling, and widespread testing of asymptomatic incarcerated individuals. Results were compared against a computer model designed to predict cases based on CDC guidelines only. Results indicated a possible 83% reduction in predicted symptomatic cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Peer Review Study
This article highlights the interventions taken by the Cook County Jail to reduce COVID-19 transmission. They used a combination of masking, testing, screening of staff, medical isolation in single-occupancy cells, social distancing, and enhanced cleaning procedures. Cases declined in the facility following these interventions, even as cases increased in the broader Chicago area.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Peer Review Study
This report examines decarceration as a public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. People in correctional facilities are more susceptible to COVID-19 for a wide variety of reasons, including overcrowding and higher rates of pre-existing conditions. Public health agencies can advocate for these decarceration policies or participate directly in discharge planning or health care provision to these vulnerable populations.
Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
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Summary Report/Recommendations
This framework focuses on strategies and action steps recommended for health departments to enhance access to testing, quality care, and prevention methods in correctional/incarceration facilities. This resource opines that health departments, which often provide health care in carceral settings or contract private organizations to provide health care, should strengthen health care services for incarcerated people. All people, regardless of whether they are incarcerated, should have immediate access to testing, care, and the ability to protect themselves from disease.