NCJ Number
185835
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 64 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2000 Pages: 19-26
Date Published
June 2000
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This analysis of medical services in Ohio’s three women’s prisons focuses on the structure of the health care delivery system in women’s prisons and the medical staff’s perception of this structure, including the quality, processes, and ways to improve health care delivery services.
Abstract
The research took place through visits to the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, the Franklin Prerelease Center in Columbus, and the Northeast Prerelease Center in Cleveland. Qualitative information came from focus groups with medical and paramedical staff members; unstructured interviews with physicians, wardens, and other medical staff members; and observations of actual incidents. Results revealed both similarities and differences in the three prisons’ health care delivery structures and processes. The prisons used similar routine health care delivery. All institutions experienced shortages of human and other resources. The prison’s differed in the level of privatization of health care services and the degree to which they offered full care within the institutions. The three systems also differed with respect to specialization in service delivery. However, the similarities in the perceptions of the medical personnel of these institutions are much more important. They experienced common challenges and dilemmas including the need for a balance between professionalism and compassionate care and the need to reconcile custodial and medical needs in a setting in which safety is a major consideration. Overcoming problems resulting from inmates’ lack of basic health education and the unique aspects of working with female populations also seemed to affect service delivery. Findings indicate the need to address the tensions inherent in providing health care in custodial settings and to give attention to the social history of the populations served and the interactions of these characteristics with health care delivery. Notes and 26 references