Parole officer-parolee relationships and HIV risk behaviors during community supervision

AIDS Behav. 2013 Oct;17(8):2667-75. doi: 10.1007/s10461-011-0081-1.

Abstract

We tested if good parole officer (PO)-parolee relationships reduce HIV risk behaviors during parole, as they do for risk of rearrest. Analyses used data from 374 parolees enrolled in a randomized clinical trial. Past month HIV risk behaviors were assessed by interview at baseline, 3- and 9-months after parole initiation. The Working Alliance Inventory and the Dual-Role Relationships Inventory measured PO relationship. Gender-stratified multivariate regressions tested associations of PO-parolee relationship with sex with multiple partners, unprotected sex with risky partner(s), and drug injection. Women parolees (n = 65) who reported better PO relationship characteristics were less likely to report having multiple sex partners [adjusted odds ratio: 0.82 (0.69, 0.98) at 3-months, 0.89 (0.80, 0.99) at 9-months], and, among those reporting multiple sex partners, had fewer partners on average [adjusted relative risk 0.98 (0.96, 0.99)]. These effects were not found among men. PO-parolee relationship quality can influence sexual risk behaviors among women parolees.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Community Health Services
  • Criminals / psychology
  • Criminals / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Law Enforcement* / methods
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Prisoners / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Prisoners / psychology*
  • Risk-Taking
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sexual Partners*
  • Social Support
  • United States / epidemiology