NCJ Number
156911
Journal
Corrective and Social Psychiatry and Journal of Behavior Technology Methods and Therapy Volume: 19 Issue: 1-4 Dated: (1993) Pages: 6-10
Date Published
1993
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article reviews some of the adjustment problems that health care workers in the field of correctional medicine may encounter, in terms of inmate characteristics, security requirements, and administrative attitudes.
Abstract
Many inmates exhibit sociopathic behavior. They may be demanding and unreasonable; exhibit extreme suspicion of all staff, including doctors and other health care workers; and demand care for health-related problems that have long been neglected. New employees will soon realize that most inmates suffer from multiple problems, including drug and alcohol abuse, illiteracy, and lack of supportive family relationships. Medical services in prison must be tailored to fit security requirements. As a result, there are limited times and places for dispensing medicine, for sick call conducted by nursing staff, and for clinics conducted by doctors and consultants. Habitual ways of practicing medicine may have to be adapted in order to operate effectively but without compromising quality of care.