A Randomized Controlled Trial of HIV Testing and Linkage to Care at Community Corrections

The first study is a two-group randomized controlled trial in which 6,000 male and female
probationers and parolees in Baltimore City, Maryland and Providence, Rhode Island will be
randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions: 1) On-site rapid testing conducted by
research staff co-located for the purposes of this study at the probation/parole office; or
2) Off-site referral for rapid HIV testing at a community health center or HIV testing
clinic. Inclusion criteria will be: 1) Adult probationer/parolee; 2) not known to be HIV
positive, and 3) resident of greater Baltimore or Providence throughout the study period.
Exclusion criteria will be: 1) unable to give informed consent. The second study is a
randomized trial, whereby all individuals identified at community corrections with HIV will
be offered enrollment in a one-year intervention study to examine the ability to improve
linkage into HIV care. Participants will be randomized to receive one of two conditions: 1)
Project Bridge for one year, or 2) Treatment as Usual-referral to standard level of care.
Moreover, those randomized to TAU will be given an opportunity to "crossover" to PB if they
have failed to engage in treatment during the first three months. The rationale for choosing
the two cities of Baltimore, MD and Providence, RI is due to the historically high rates of
heroin addiction that is associated with multiple HIV-related risk behaviors in these two
cities and a high likelihood of being on probation and/or parole. Furthermore, Maryland
ranks 10th and Rhode Island ranks 4th in the nation in the number of probationers per
100,000 adult residents.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Probation or Parole;

2. Resident of Baltimore, MD or Providence, RI; 3) Willing to be tested for HIV