Pilot
If the scale-up plan encompasses multiple individual prisons which form an organisational entity, a pilot should be considered in one or a small number of centres before jurisdiction-wide roll-out is considered. A short term pilot over 6-12 months should be undertaken in a centre(s) with characteristics suggesting good feasibility, as described below.
Issues
Choice of prison
Context
Suitable health clinic, existing hepatitis service, and good prisoner access windows.
Engagement of staff
Context
Correctional and health staff well-resourced and supportive.
Feasibility of evaluation
Context
Good correctional and health care data systems.
Prisoner Population
Context
Suitable characteristics including a high hepatitis C prevalence and a sufficient incarceration period for testing and treatment.
Lesson learnt:
The SToP-C program was successfully implemented sequentially in four correctional centres in New South Wales, Australia. A continuing improvement approach was adopted with successful initiatives from one centre then commenced in other centres (e.g. employment of a dedicated correctional officer to support testing and treatment scale-up).
