Email Notification

Form Approved

OMB No: 0920-0840

Exp. Date: 02/28/2019

Examination of Jail and Prison Policies Related to STD Prevention

Attachment 5 Notification Email

Hello ______________________,

I am a Senior Project Director in the Research and Evaluation Group at Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC). PHMC is a non-profit public health institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that partners with government, foundations, businesses, and community-based organizations to build healthier communities. We provide outreach, health promotion, education, research, planning, technical assistance, and direct services. You can find out more information about PHMC at our website, phmc.org.

I am writing to ask you for your assistance on a research study we are working on with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The research study is looking at the impact of criminal justice involvement on sexually transmitted disease (STD) risks and prevalence among incarcerated populations and the communities to which they return. There is research that has shown that the risk factors for those who are in custody or incarcerated are also associated with increased risk for STDs among those populations and their communities. The primary focus of our research is on adults who are being held in county jails/prisons on charges or convicted of crimes that involve shorter sentences (1 year or less).

As a part of this study, we are hoping to conduct confidential interviews with jail/prison staff and/or healthcare providers who can to us about the STD screening, treatment, and linkage to care policies within the facilities. We are talking to people in 8 counties throughout the US that have the highest STD rates in the country, including ______________ County. You were identified as someone who would be valuable to speak with.

The interview should take about 60-90 minutes of your time. I will conduct the interview over the phone at a time that is convenient for you. No names or identifying information would be documented or used for any reporting purposes. As I mentioned before, the interview is completely confidential, and I will not be tape recording the interviews—just taking notes. I am hoping to conduct the interviews within the next 2 weeks if possible. I would really appreciate any help you could provide.

To schedule the interview, and/or if you have any questions about the research study, please contact me at your earliest convenience. My email address is [email protected], and my direct phone number is 215-731-2155. I will also follow this email with a phone call within the next week.

Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information from me.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Archana Bodas LaPollo

Archana Bodas LaPollo, MPH

Senior Project Director

Research and Evaluation Group

Public Health Management Corporation

1500 Market St., Suite 1500

Philadelphia, PA 19102