NCJ Number
43926
Date Published
1977
Length
8 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF THE JAIL ENVIRONMENT AND OF FACTORS IN PROVIDING MEDICAL CARE TO INMATES IS PRESENTED IN A PAMPHLET DIRECTED TO PHYSICIANS AND NURSES.
Abstract
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE JAIL AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF JAILS TO OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE OUTLINED. THE EXISTENCE OF SOCIAL CASTE SYSTEMS WITHIN JAILS IS POINTED OUT. HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ARE URGED TO ACQUAINT THEMSELVES WITH THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE GUARDS TO THE INMATES AND WITH THE ROLES PLAYED BY EACH. PROVIDERS ARE ALSO URGED NOT TO CONFUSE THEIR OWN ROLE WITH THAT OF PROVIDING SECURITY. THE TENDENCY OF INMATES TO REGARD MEDICAL CARE AS 'ENTERTAINMENT,' I.E., RELIEF FROM BOREDOM, IS POINTED OUT. HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO SHARE HEALTH KNOWLEDGE WITH JAIL GUARDS AND OFFICERS. HEALTH-RELATED FACTORS IN THE BACKGROUNDS OF MOST JAIL INMATES ARE POINTED OUT, WITH REFERENCE TO THE PROBLEMS THAT SOMETIMES RESULT WHEN JAIL INMATES ARE DEPRIVED OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS. QUOTES FROM PHYSICIANS AND NURSES CONCERNING THEIR EXPERIENCES IN TREATING JAIL INMATES ARE PRESENTED. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ORDINARY PROVIDER-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP AND THE RELATIONSHIP THAT EVOLVES WHEN THE PATIENT IS AN INMATE ARE POINTED OUT. THE ABILITY OF SOME INMATES TO MANIPULATE PHYSICIANS IN ORDER TO OBTAIN DRUGS IS NOTED.