The Pinellas County Jail Linkage Project is an innovative program inaugurated in Pinellas County by the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County in July 2001. It was developed through the collaborative efforts of the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County's Disease Control Division staff and the Medical Staff at the Pinellas County Jail.

The Pinellas County Jail Linkage Project conducts risk assessments of inmates to determine those at high risk of infection and in need of HIV/STD/TB/Hepatitis testing, treatment, and follow-up services.

This program is the first of its kind statewide, and has served as a model for other areas hoping to develop similar projects.

Through this program the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County has been able to provide prevention/education and testing to individuals at high risk of infection who might otherwise have "slipped through the cracks" of the system.

The inmates screened and tested through this program are made aware of their HIV/STD/TB/Hepatitis status. Upon their release from the Pinellas County Jail the inmates are linked to appropriate services, treatment and support within the community by the Disease Intervention Specialist.

The Pinellas County Jail Linkage Project is supported by two staff members whose offices are housed at the Pinellas County Jail in Clearwater, Florida.

For more information about this unique program, please contact Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County, Disease Control at (727) 824-6911.