Prison Connect-STI/HIV Prevention Intervention for Couples Affected by Incarceration

Development and Acceptability Evaluation of a Novel STI/HIV Prevention Intervention for Couples Affected by Incarceration

The purpose of this study is to adapt an existing couples-level HIV prevention intervention for community populations (CONNECT I/II; PI: El-Bassel) to enable implementation among couples affected by incarceration (PRISON CONNECT) and pilot test its feasibility and acceptability among men incarcerated in the Connecticut Department of Correction (CTDOC) and their community-dwelling committed female partners.

This pilot study will recruit male inmates in the Connecticut Department of Correction and their community-dwelling female partner. Using an adapted version of an efficacious couples-level HIV prevention intervention for community populations (CONNECT; PI: El-Bassel), this study will pilot test a single in-prison intervention session using face-to-face or teleconferencing modalities and a brief community follow-up session. Feasibility and acceptability among the inmates and their partners will be assessed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• eight HIV-positive and HIV-negative/unknown status male inmates and their partners (N=16 couples, 32 participants).

Male Participants

• at least 18 years of age
• able to communicate in English, currently
• incarcerated in the Connecticut Department of Correction (CTDOC), due to be released within three months.
• have a committed female partner who is not currently incarcerated and willing to participate in the study, and is
• not concerned participation will cause violence in the relationship.

Female partners

• be able to communicate in English
• not currently incarcerated
• confirm the committed partnership with the male inmate and willingness to participate in the study
• not concerned participation in the study would cause violence in the relationship.

Exclusion Criteria:

• restricted to English-speaking participants due to language availability of staff and intervention materials.