NCJ Number
73312
Date Published
1979
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This brief report describes inmate health care services provided by juvenile correctional facilities, based on a December 1978 survey of 41 institutions in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts.
Abstract
The American Medical Association has been developing standards for adults and juveniles in correctional facilities. As part of this project, questionnaires were distributed to 80 long-and short-term facilities of varying sizes, with 51 percent responding. Analysis of this data showed that 78 percent of the admissions were males with an average age of 16 and that most facilities had population levels that were at or near capacity. About half the inmates were detained from 91 to over 180 days. In 88 percent of the sample, juveniles were screened for potential health problems, usually at the time of admission. Most respondents used a combination of health services inside the facility along with outside providers to deliver routine and emergency care. Mental health and dental services were available on an ongoing basis in most institutions, but emergency care in these areas was offered only by a quarter of the institutions. Inmates needing drug and alcohol detoxification were usually sent to outside providers. Juveniles were given personal hygiene items, special diets, and education on health issues in most institutions. Detailed statistics on types and licensing of medical personnel, frequency of sick calls, pharmaceuticals, purchases, and maintenance of health records are presented. The survey concluded that some health problems could be attributed to overcrowding and that those institutions that had failed to screen juveniles immediately could be vulnerable to communicable diseases. Procedures for inventorying pharmaceuticals, protecting medical records, and monitoring staff certification were inadequate in several facilities. The study, however, did indicate that most juvenile correctional institutions had functioning health care systems and that future attention should focus on the quality of this care. The questionnaire used in the survey is appended.