NCJ Number
98103
Journal
Prison Journal Volume: 65 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring-Summer 1985) Pages: 73-82
Date Published
1985
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This examination of inmate health care points out numerous deficiencies in current care and argues that attorneys and medical professionals should work jointly to improve health care in prisons and jails in the United States.
Abstract
Litigation has provided the impetus for reforming medical practice in correctional facilities, but human and scientific resources are essential for meaningful reform. Although the ideal prison provides basic human services in a decent and healthful physical environment, prisons generally do not meet this ideal. The more poorly a prison is managed, the greater the demand will be for medical services and facilities. Poor regular diets will lead to prisoners' seeking therapeutic diets. Idleness, boredom, and depression in prisons lacking adequate programming will cause prisoners to pay more attention to insignificant illnesses. Prisons that fail to provide secure environments will have higher rates of assault and serious injury. Prisoners may also seek respite from tedious routines by going to the sick call waiting room. Typical reactions of medical professionals to the increased level of demands for services are overwhelming stress and burnout and characterization of prisoners as malingerers. This characterization can lead to neglect of serious medical problems and to transformation of professional medical personnel into an auxiliary security force. Medical personnel cannot by themselves correct policy causes of excessive sick calls. Physicians must resist efforts to limit the quality and quantity of medical treatment to the needs of institutional security, productivity, discipline, and administrative convenience. Three references are listed.