CJ Young, Sue Smith, and Gayle Burrow join Lorry to talk about the latest correctional health care news.

 Mentally ill inmate died of water intoxication in Michigan prison, lawsuit says

In the first story, a mentally ill inmate in a Michigan prison died of water intoxication caused by psychogenic polydipsia. He was a severe schizophrenic. It is only a brief article and there are gaps in available information, but it is a reminder that there can be dangerous physiological ramifications to psychological conditions. In Podcast Episode 94 I talked with Dr. Scott Eliason about this condition. He provides some good information for managing those with this condition.

Nova Institution for Women sees spike in self-injury incidents

Our next story is from the Canadian System. Incidents of self-injury are up in their federal prison for women in Nova Scotia. The Nova Institution for Women has seen increasing self-injury events in the inmate population. Self-injury is defined as hunger strike, overdoes interruption, or self-inflicted injuries. Usually deliberate self-harm does not include suicide attempts but, instead, head banging, opening old wounds, inserting objects into the body, burning….things like that. Often these physical injuries relieve psychological stress.

Navy will not discharge Guantanamo nurse

Next up is the conclusion to a story being following for some time. A military nurse serving in Guantanamo refused an order to force-feed a hunger striking detainee and was brought up on charges. This story was originally discussed in Podcast Episode 86.In this latest news item, we read that the nurse was not discharged for refusing to force-feed. A good outcome to a difficult situation. What can we learn from this nurse for our own practice in the ethically challenging correctional setting?

 Hard Labor: A doula offers a little comfort for a birth behind bars.

The final story is certainly good news for pregnant inmates in the Minnesota prison system. The Minnesota Prison Doula Project provides weekly maternity classes and birthing support for pregnant inmates in the system. DONA International, an organization promoting the doula process, provides a definition:

The word “doula” comes from the ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves” and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications.

That certainly seems the case for these Minnesota inmates. Panelists discuss the many benefits of such a program.

 

Which news item was the most helpful this month? Share your thoughts in the comments section of this post.