HIV in Prisons, 2023 – Statistical Tables

• NCJ Number: 309975
• Author(s): Laura M. Maruschak, BJS Statistician
• Date Published: June 2025
• Publication Series: HIV in Prisons and Jails
• Publication Type: Publication

Description

This report presents national- and jurisdiction-level estimates of the number and rate of prisoners living with HIV while in the custody of state and federal correctional authorities. Also included are data on HIV testing practices during the intake process, while in custody, and during discharge planning, by jurisdiction. 

The National Prisoner Statistics (NPS) program collects annual data on prisoners at yearend from the 50 state departments of corrections and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. BJS has been using the NPS to collect these since 1991.

Highlights

• At yearend 2023, an estimated 12,460 persons in the custody of state and federal correctional authorities were known to be living with HIV, an increase of 2% from yearend 2022 (12,200). 
• From yearend 2022 to yearend 2023, the number of males in state and federal prison living with HIV increased from 11,500 to 11,710 (up 2%), and the number of females increased from 700 to 750 (up 7%).
• Of the 50 jurisdictions reporting their HIV testing practices in 2023, 58% (29) conducted opt-out HIV testing during intake.
• All 50 reporting jurisdictions offered an HIV test under one or more circumstances to persons in the custody of state and federal correctional authorities in 2023.