For the estimated 2 percent of prisoners in this country who are living with HIV/AIDS, release from prison brings challenges—finding housing and employment, reconnecting with family—that can make it difficult to maintain HIV treatment and care. Care providers at Miriam Hospital and the Center for Prisoner Health and Human Rights in Providence, Rhode Island, have created a tool that may help.

Brian Montague, MD, reports that the team created a system that coordinates data from the Ryan White program (clinic visits and other health indicators) with correctional records to track whether released prisoners are getting care. That link had not previously been made, Montague says, adding, “The hope is that the program will help develop interventions for specific individuals,” allowing providers to spot problems, offer aid and identify the best ways to help people released from prison get and stay healthy.