HEALTH CARE IS MAJOR ISSUE OF COURTS AND CIVIL RIGHTS

• NCJ Number: 60555
• Journal: Corrections Today Volume: 41 Issue: 4 Dated: (JULY/AUGUST 1979) Pages: 6-7,12,14,16,18,28
• Author(s): R A KIEL
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: American Correctional Association
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

AREAS WHERE CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE HAS BEEN RECENTLY IMPROVED ARE IDENTIFIED; THE LEGAL BASIS REQUIRED FOR QUALITY HEALTH CARE IS ESTABLISHED, AND A MODEL FOR DELIVERY-SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSED.

Abstract

DESPITE THE GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE'S 1978 REPORT CHARGING INADEQUACY OF HEALTH-CARE DELIVERY SYSTEMS IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, THERE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN RECENT YEARS. THERE HAS BEEN A DEFINITE INCREASE IN THE PROFESSIONALISM OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE. THIS PROFESSIONALISM IS DEMONSTRATED BY THE CREATION AND GROWTH OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION, BY EXTENSIVE TRAINING EFFORTS, AND THROUGH INCREASED INTERACTION AMONG CORRECTIONAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. LARGER AND BETTER FACILITIES, IMPROVED STAFFING PATTERNS, AND BETTER USE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES ARE ALSO NOTED. ADEQUATE HEALTH CARE HAS BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE IN THE PRISONERS' RIGHTS MOVEMENT FOR SOME TIME. MOST LITIGATION PERTAINS TO ACCESS TO TREATMENT, PROPER REGARD FOR THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THE INMATE, AND MENTAL HEALTH WITHIN THE CORRECTIONAL ENVIRONMENT. NUMEROUS COURT CASES HAVE UPHELD THE RIGHTS OF PRISONERS TO PROPER TREATMENT WITHIN THESE AREAS OF DISPUTE. HOWEVER, EVEN WITH THE ABUNDANCE OF CASE LAW SPECIFICALLY ESTABLISHING THAT HEALTH CARE IS A BASIC INMATE RIGHT, HEALTH CARE REMAINS LOW ON PROGRAM PRIORITIES ESTABLISHED BY MANY CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS. HEALTH CARE IS BEST PROVIDED WHEN IT IS ORGANIZED INTO A SYSTEM DESIGNED TO ENCOMPASS ALL ASPECTS OF CLINICAL CARE. A TYPICAL MODEL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUCH A SYSTEM IS TO IDENTIFY THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THE POPULATION FOR WHICH THE SYSTEM IS RESPONSIBLE, IDENTIFY THE SERVICES NECESSARY TO MEET THOSE NEEDS, AND IDENTIFY THE RESOURCES REQUIRED TO MAKE THE SERVICES AVAILABLE. THE TASK IS COMPLICATED BY LACK OF ADEQUATE DATA AND OTHER LEGAL, MORAL, AND ETHICAL QUESTIONS. IN ADDITION, THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICER MUST BE CONVINCED OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ADEQUATE HEALTH CARE TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE DELIVERY. REFERENCES AND PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED IN THE ARTICLE.