WHI-FI

Women's Health Information for the Incarcerated (WHI-FI) is a joint collaborative venture between Aid to Inmate Mothers and the Office of Women’s Health. This program is a gender specific initiative developed to provide preventative health education and referral information for women offenders at Tutwiler Prison for Women, Montgomery Women's Facility, and Birmingham Work Release. The purpose of WHI-FI is to increase awareness about women’s health, foster healthy lifestyles prior to and after release,and assist with linkages to public health services in their local community.

Pre Release and Reentry Program

The three female institutions offer a Pre Release and Reentry Program to inmates who are within 30–90 days of release from prison. This program is offered monthly at Tutwiler Prison for Women and quarterly at the Birmingham Work Release and Montgomery Women's Facility. The program offers a series of modules that focus on healthy lifestyles after prison. Incarcerated women participate in modules on the following topics:

• multiple addictions and recovery
• job, career, finance, and communication skills
• faith, communication, and character building skills
• health education, screenings, and referrals
• family reintegration and reunification
• law enforcement and background checks

Health Education and Information

Preventative health education classes are offered to the general population of women and soon to be released women who are participating in the Pre Release and Reentry Program. Preventative health classes are offered to women to encourage healthy lifestyles, improve decision making skills and to improve health literacy. Health topics include , but are not limited to;

• HIV/AIDS and STDs
• hepatitis
• tuberculosis
• smoking and tobacco use
• body piercing and tattooing
• diabetes
• cardiovascular disease
• breast cancer
• cervical cancer
• nutrition and physical fitness
• positive mental health
• human sexuality and addiction

Community Linkages and Referrals

After completion of the Pre Release and Reentry Program, women are provided with referral and contact information to link them to one of the sixty seven county health departments in the area in which they will be returning after release from prison. While participating in the program, women are orientated to a range of different health care programs' services that are available at their local county health department. Services include:

• HIV/STD screenings
• participation in the Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
• immunizations
• birth control/contraceptives
• health education and informational materials
• WIC services
• access to birth certificates and vital records
• health and dental screenings
• health care referrals to specialty clinics

Inmates are also provided with contact information for community rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and mental health centers.

For more information on the WHI-FI Program, please contact Carolyn Miller at (334) 206-2059.