In 2002, the Prison Infection Prevention Team was established at the Health Protection Agency to monitor hepatitis B vaccine delivery in prisons in England and Wales.  Responsibility for the Prison Hepatitis B Vaccination Monitoring Programme passed to the NHS on April 1st 2010.

Our current work focuses on coordinating the surveillance of infectious diseases affecting the prison population. This work is carried out in close collaboration with the Offender Health group at the Department of Health, the Local and Regional Services Prison Network and the local Health Protection Units.

Objectives:

• Provide monthly information to prison health care, HPA front-line and OH Public Health Staff on reported  number of cases /incidents/outbreaks of infectious disease in prisons (Prison Log sheet).
• Respond to telephone/e-mail enquiries re prison infectious disease matters from prison health care staff, HPA front line staff and others.
• Co-ordinate the rapid collection & dissemination of information to key partners when outbreaks/incidents occur in prisons.
• Provide regular information to prison healthcare staff on infectious diseases affecting the prison population through the quarterly bulletin on infectious disease, 'Infection Inside'.
• Improve reporting of reportable diseases in prisons.
• Facilitate development of policy for infection prevention in prisons.