NCJ Number
156288
Journal
Journal of Correctional Health Care Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1995) Pages: 97-104
Date Published
1995
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This position statement includes recommendations for the provision of health care services to female inmates.
Abstract
All correctional institutions should be required to meet recognized community standards for female health services as promoted by standards set by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. Correctional health services and women's advocacy groups should collaborate to provide leadership for the development of policies and procedures that address women's special health-care needs in corrections. Correctional institutions should provide intake procedures that include histories on menstrual cycle, pregnancies, gynecological problems, and nutritional intake. Correctional institutions should provide intake examinations that include a breast exam and -- depending on the patient's age, sexual history, and past medical history -- a pelvic exam, Pap smear, and baseline mammogram. Further, correctional institutions should provide laboratory tests to detect sexually transmitted diseases. Additionally, females should receive a pregnancy test on admission to correctional facilities. Finally, comprehensive services for women's unique health problems should be provided in prisons, jails, and juvenile detention and confinement facilities. 9 references