NCJ Number
64732
Date Published
1977
Length
86 pages
Annotation
PAPERS DELIVERED AT THE CONFERENCE ADDRESS THREE BROAD TOPICS: THE NEED FOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH STANDARDS, PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION STEPS TO CHANGE HEALTH CARE IN JAILS, AND THE IMPACT OF THE ONGOING STANDARDS PROJECT.
Abstract
THE KEYNOTE SPEECH ARGUES FOR THE INTERVENTION OF COURTS IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE BASIC RIGHTS OF PRISONERS, CITING THE CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF JUSTICE AND THE GOVERNMENT'S OBLIGATION TO THE GENERAL WELFARE, WITH DUE REGARD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. ANOTHER SPEECH, PRESENTING THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE OMBUDSMAN AND THE INMATE, ADVOCATES UNIFIED HEALTH STANDARDS IN THE JAILS IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE SUCH PROBLEMS AS PROLIFERATION OF DISEASE, INCREASED INMATE HOSTILITY AND TENSION, AND COURT SUITS. THE DELIVERY OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO INMATES IS ANOTHER AREA WHERE INTERVENTION IS NEEDED. CHANGING EXISTING JAIL HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS REQUIRES TEAMWORK, COOPERATION, VOLUNTEERISM, AND PRACTICAL PROCEDURES DEVELOPMENT. PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE JAIL HEALTH PROJECTS SHOULD COOPERATE WITH THE TRADITIONAL JAIL STAFF, WORK TOGETHER, RECEIVE PROPER RECOGNITION FOR THEIR WORK, REINFORCEMENT FROM THE PROFESSIONALS INVOLVED, AND THE APPROPRIATE PAY. MEDICOLEGAL ISSUES OF A SPECIFIC INMATE'S SUIT WHICH RESULTED IN OVERALL IMPROVEMENT OF JAIL CONDITIONS ARE REVIEWED FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE PHYSICIAN, THE EXPERT MEDICAL WITNESS, AND THE LAWYER. REPORTS FROM THE FIELD ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION'S JAIL PROJECT ARE PRESENTED FROM THE VIEWPOINTS OF THE SHERIFF, THE PHYSICIAN, AND THE NURSE. IMPLEMENTATION OF JAIL HEALTH STANDARDS AND SOLUTIONS IS DISCUSSED BY AN URBAN JAIL PHYSICIAN, A COUNTY COMMISSIONER, AND A SHERIFF. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED WITH INDIVIDUAL PAPERS. (MRK)