Sleep is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Yet in correctional settings, good sleep can be hard to come by. As correctional nurses, we must recognize that supporting sleep hygiene isn’t just about comfort, it is a vital part of maintaining both physical and mental health. For many incarcerated individuals, disrupted sleep patterns are not only common but expected. Our role includes understanding these challenges and acting where we can.

Why Sleep Matters Behind the Wall

Sleep deprivation affects nearly every system of the body. Poor sleep has been linked to:

• Increased risk of heart disease
• Weakened immune function
• Heightened irritability and aggression
• Impaired memory and judgment
• Worsening symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychosis

In correctional facilities, where stress is high, chronic illness is common, and trauma histories are frequent, these effects can be particularly dangerous. A patient who struggles to sleep may also struggle to participate in treatment, comply with medical plans, or maintain emotional regulation.

Common Barriers to Sleep in Custody

Correctional environments often work against healthy sleep. Common obstacles include:

• Persistent lighting from overhead fixtures or hallway glare
• Loud or sudden noise, including nighttime rounds
• Uncomfortable bedding and lack of privacy
• Hypervigilance and fear, especially for new intakes or those in segregation
• Disrupted routines, such as early medication administration and shift changes
• Undiagnosed sleep disorders or medical conditions

While many of these barriers are structural, nurses still have opportunities to intervene.

What Correctional Nurses Can Do

Patient Education

• Teach basic sleep hygiene: regular sleep schedules, avoiding caffeine late in the day, and relaxation strategies.
• Normalize sleep challenges in custody, especially during early incarceration, and provide reassurance.
• Encourage calming pre-bedtime activities like reading, journaling, or mindfulness, when feasible.

Environmental Advocacy

• Advocate for dimmer lights at night.
• Support consistent timing of sedating medications to match sleep cycles.
• Collaborate with custody staff to minimize unnecessary overnight disturbances.

Clinical Assessment and Intervention

• Assess for contributing conditions such as pain, anxiety, depression, or withdrawal.
• Refer for evaluation if sleep disorders are suspected (e.g., sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome).
• Monitor sleep medication use carefully, balancing safety, dependency risks, and diversion concerns. Many facilities do not allow “sleepers.”

Final Thoughts

Sleep may not be the first issue that comes to mind in correctional nursing, but it matters. Supporting healthy rest is part of trauma-informed, patient-centered care. While you may not be able to dim the lights or quiet the tier, your knowledge, clinical judgment, and advocacy can make a meaningful difference for patients experiencing sleep problems. Sleep supports healing. It supports safety. And it strengthens your efforts to provide ethical, evidence-based care behind the wall.