Improving HIV prevention and care for people involved in the criminal justice system in Massachusetts
Official title: Massachusetts HIV and Justice-Involved Populations Research Network
Funded at Boston Medical Center · NIH-11259091 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to make it easier for people with opioid use disorder in jail to get tested for HIV and receive treatment, so they can stay healthy and get the support they need when they leave jail.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $879,922 |
| NIH project number | 7R61DA060588-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11259091 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with opioid use disorder who are currently incarcerated or recently released from the Suffolk County jail system.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in the criminal justice system or do not have opioid use disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing access to HIV testing, treatment, and prevention for individuals with opioid use disorder who are involved in the criminal justice system. It aims to evaluate and implement a multi-faceted intervention within the Suffolk County jail system to ensure that inmates receive timely HIV care and are linked to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) upon release. The project will involve collaboration between the jail system and community healthcare providers to address gaps in care and improve health outcomes for this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce HIV transmission rates among justice-involved individuals and improve their overall health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in implementing similar interventions to improve HIV care access in justice-involved populations, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wurcel, Alysse Gail — Boston Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Wurcel, Alysse Gail
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.