Finding ways to prevent COVID-19 in jails and prisons
Official title: Identifying and evaluating prevention strategies for COVID-19 in correctional facilities
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11140790 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the best ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 in jails and prisons, focusing on strategies like testing and vaccination to help keep everyone safe and healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 4, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $246,736 |
| NIH project number | 4R00AI177945-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11140790 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals residing in correctional facilities who may be at risk for COVID-19 infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently incarcerated or those who have already been vaccinated and tested may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to effectively prevent COVID-19 transmission in correctional facilities, such as jails and prisons, where residents are at higher risk for respiratory infections. The project aims to evaluate various prevention strategies, including testing and vaccination, to determine their combined effectiveness in reducing COVID-19 cases. By developing a detailed model, the researchers will analyze how these strategies can be adapted to the changing landscape of the pandemic, providing evidence-based guidance for correctional facilities. This work seeks to improve health outcomes for incarcerated individuals by addressing the unique challenges they face during outbreaks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective COVID-19 prevention strategies in correctional facilities, ultimately reducing infection rates and improving health outcomes for incarcerated individuals.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies on COVID-19 prevention in general populations, this research specifically addresses the unique context of correctional facilities, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lind, Margaret — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Lind, Margaret
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Structural factors linking minimum wage, COVID-19, and community violence
A long-term study will explore whether higher minimum wages and pandemic-related economic factors are connected to changes in violence in US communities.
-
COVID-19 healthcare disruptions and heart health inequities in NYC adults with multiple conditions
This project looks at how COVID-19-related gaps in care affected heart health in adults with several chronic conditions in New York City.
-
Modifying body fat to aid COVID-19 recovery through behavioral strategies
A study in veterans explores whether changing weight through lifestyle habits can improve recovery after COVID-19–related health problems.
-
Post-COVID Neuro-Cognitive Changes in Older African Americans
A study explores how COVID-19 affects thinking, memory, and daily life in older African American adults and what might be driving these changes.
-
How COVID school closures affected kids with or at risk for developmental differences
This NIH grant follows children aged 4 to 15 and their families to see how pandemic school closures impacted emotional well-being and parenting over three years.
-
Long-term COVID-19 effects in older Veterans and a rehabilitation approach
This project looks at how COVID-19 affects blood vessel health in older Veterans and tests a rehab strategy together with a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant to help recovery.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.