NCJ Number
25992
Date Published
1972
Length
281 pages
Annotation
REPORT ON A SURVEY, CONDUCTED BETWEEN JANUARY AND MAY, 1972, BY A TEAM OF DOCTORS, NURSES, HEALTH WORKERS, LAWYERS AND LAW STUDENTS, OF THE STATE'S EIGHT PRISONS.
Abstract
THIS SURVEY INVOLVED SITE VISITS, INMATE AND PERSONNEL INTERVIEWS, AND REVIEWS OF MEDICAL RECORDS. THIS REPORT FIRST PRESENTS A DESCRIPTION OF PRISONS, PRISON ORGANIZATION, AND INMATE PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES, AND INDUSTRIES. THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (PHYSICAL, FOOD, RECREATION, INDUSTRIAL HEALTH, AND SAFETY) ARE ALSO DESCRIBED AND COMMENTED ON AS IS THE HEALTH CARE DELIVERY PROCESS. AREAS COVERED UNDER THIS LAST HEADING INCLUDE FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, PERSONNEL, ACCESS TO TREATMENT AND DETECTION AND PREVENTION OF ILLNESS, AVAILABLE SERVICES, MEDICAL RECORDS, SPECIAL CASES, DEATHS, PERSONAL RIGHTS RELATED TO HEALTH CARE, MEDICAL EXPERIMENTATION, LIMITATIONS ON MEDICAL TREATMENT AND ACCESS TO SERVICES, AND COORDINATION AND QUALITY CONTROL OF HEALTH SERVICES. SERIOUS DEFECTS IN HEALTH CARE AND CONDITIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA STATE PRISONS ARE DOCUMENTED, SUCH AS POOR ALLOCATION OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, LACK OF EMERGENCY SERVICES NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS, ABSENCE OF INDIVIDUAL PRIVACY, LIMITED RECREATION PROGRAMS, AND BORING AND UNVARIED INSTITUTIONAL DIETS. BASED ON SURVEY FINDINGS, SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE INCLUDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SPECIAL OFFICE OF MEDICAL CARE TO COORDINATE THE PRISON HEALTH SYSTEM, HEALTH SERVICE CAREER TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR CONVICTS, ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATEWIDE CITIZENS COMMITTEE ON PRISONS ALONG WITH LOCAL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEES, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PRISONER HEALTH GRIEVANCE BOARDS.