An inmate arrives at medical with head lacerations from repetitive head banging against a cell wall. Another is found opening an abdominal wound stitched up after the trauma of a car-chase crash. Still another is admitted to the infirmary having sliced arms and chest with a razor in the shower. ... Read More about I’m Gonna Hurt Myself
The Correctional Nurse
Responding to Inmate Sexual Assault and Prison Rape
The statistics on prison rape are shocking. According to the 2013 Department of Justice study, 4% of all state and federal inmates experienced at least one incident of sexual victimization. That is nearly 1 in 20 inmates. My first reaction to the information was to assume this was inmate on inmate ... Read More about Responding to Inmate Sexual Assault and Prison Rape
Bridging Meds
Bridging meds is a process in correctional healthcare of covering the medication gap between what the inmate was taking in the community and what is provided behind bars. Recent reports of inmate death or violence related to not providing prescribed medications in a timely fashion can easily lead to ... Read More about Bridging Meds
Legal History of Correctional Nursing – Part II
Two terms which guide correctional healthcare emerged from case law surrounding the Estelle v GambleSupreme Court ruling. The ruling cited a "deliberate indifference to serious medical need" as a breach of the 8th Amendment barring cruel and unusual punishment. These terms have guided correctional ... Read More about Legal History of Correctional Nursing – Part II