This literature review on the cost-effectiveness of health services for returning prisoners focuses on studies related to screening and treatment for five conditions disproportionately prevalent among returning prisoners: HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, mental illness, and substance abuse. Research suggests that programs addressing all of these conditions are cost-effective. However, there are not enough well-designed studies that include returning prisoners or very similar populations to draw definite conclusions. More research is needed to assess the impacts of such on returning prisoners. Community coalitions are needed to generate financial support and negotiate the allocation of programs across governmental sectors for this population.
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