The Indiana Peer Education Program is a peer-led health education and promotion initiative operating inside nine correctional facilities in Indiana. Focusing on addressing the health disparities faced by individuals experiencing incarceration, the program leverages the expertise among incarcerated individuals to disseminate critical health education, motivate behavior change, and promote harm reduction. This talk will describe the program and highlight its successes.

Educational Objectives

• Discuss the value of peer health education in addressing critical health issues within incarcerated populations
• Review how incorporating the lived experiences of incarcerated individuals educates and their peers on evidence-based health information and harm reduction strategies
• Explore the broader implications of peer education programs in improving correctional environments for individuals, their families, facility staff, and the community

Level: Basic