NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MEDICAL CARE AND HEALTH SERVICES IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS - SECOND, PROCEEDINGS

• NCJ Number: 58532
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 125 pages
• Corporate Author: American Medical Assoc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: CONFERENCE HELD IN CHICAGO, IL, OCTOBER 27-28, 1978

Annotation

ADDRESSES AT THE 1978 NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MEDICAL CARE AND HEALTH SERVICES IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS SPEAK TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SETTING AND CONFORMING TO STANDARDS FOR INMATE HEALTH CARE AND WAYS OF DOING IT.

Abstract

SURVEYS OF THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES OF JAILS AND PRISONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE REVEALED THE GENERAL INADEQUACY OF THOSE SERVICES. THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, IN AN EFFORT TO CORRECT THESE SITUATIONS, HAS ESTABLISHED STANDARDS FOR INMATE HEALTH CARE WITH THE AIM OF MAKING IT EQUAL TO THE QUALITY OF GENERAL COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE. ACCREDITATION IS GRANTED TO THOSE JAILS AND PRISONS WHOSE OPERATING STANDARDS CONFORM SUFFICIENTLY TO THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION STANDARDS. THE STANDARDS ARE DISCUSSED BY THE CONFERENCE ADDRESSES IN THE AREAS OF PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND DENTAL HEALTH. CASE STUDIES ARE REPORTED ON WAYS IN WHICH INADEQUATE CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED. REFORM HAS USUALLY COME THROUGH THE COMBINED INFLUENCES OF PUBLIC CRITICISM AND FAVORABLE COURT ACTION ON INMATE CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS REGARDING THE INADEQUACY OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES. PRACTICAL PROBLEMS IN MANAGING A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM ARE EXPLORED, SUCH AS MEDICAL CONTROL AND DISPENSING POLICY FOR MIND-ALTERING DRUGS, PERSONNEL ROLES IN THE CARE OF MENTALLY ILL INMATES, LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE WITHIN DETENTION AND CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MEDICAL RECEIVING SCREENING PROGRAMS THAT CAN BE STAFFED BY TRAINED CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL. HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP INMATES MAINTAIN THEIR OWN HEALTH ARE ALSO DESCRIBED. HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR FEMALE INMATES ARE DETAILED TO INCLUDE OBSTETRICAL AND GYNECOLOGICAL SERVICES, ISSUES OF ABORTION OPTIONS, BIRTH CONTROL SERVICES, AND THE CARE OF INFANTS BORN TO FEMALE INMATES ARE CONSIDERED. THE CONCLUDING ADDRESS REVIEWS LITERATURE AND REPORTS ON A STUDY OF LONELINESS AS A PREVALENT INMATE PROBLEM PROMOTING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DISCOMFORT AND ILLNESS. SEE NCJ 58533-58547 FOR INDIVIDUAL PAPERS PRESENTED AT THIS CONFERENCE.