PROFILE STUDY OF SELECTED JUVENILE HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

• NCJ Number: 62526
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 12 pages
• Grant Number(s): 78 ED-AX-0023
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: American Medical Assoc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PROGRAM TO IMPROVE MEDICAL CARE AND HEALTH SERVICES IN CORRECTIONAL INSITUTIONS

Annotation

FINDINGS ARE REPORTED FROM A SURVEY OF 80 JAILS TO DETERMINE THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES PROVIDED TO JUVENILES, AS PART OF AN AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION PROJECT TO IMPROVE MEDICAL CARE IN PRISONS.

Abstract

JAIL PROJECT DIRECTORS IN MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, AND MASSACHUSETTS WERE ASKED TO DISTRIBUTE QUESTIONNAIRES TO 20 JAILS IN THEIR STATES. IN ADDITION, QUESTIONNAIRES WERE SENT TO 20 SELECTED JAILS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. MALES COMPOSED 78 PERCENT (15,553) OF THE TOTAL ADMISSIONS TO THE 41 FACILITIES RESPONDING TO THE QUESTIONNAIRES, WITH THE AVERAGE AGE OF JUVENILE INMATES BEING 16 YEARS. FINDINGS SHOW THAT 26 PERCENT OF THE FACILITIES DID NOT SCREEN JUVENILES FOR POTENTIAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IMMEDIATELY UPON ADMISSION. THESE INADEQUATE SCREENING PROCEDURES ENDANGER THE HEALTH OF THE JUVENILES AND OTHER INMATES AND STAFF BY FAILING TO PROTECT THEM FROM THE SPREAD OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES. MOREOVER, ONLY 53 PERCENT OF THE JAILS HAD SOME FORM OF FIRST AID TRAINING FOR THEIR PERSONNEL. ALTHOUGH 86 PERCENT OF THE JAILS PURCHASED MEDICATIONS BY PRESCRIPTION AND IN BULK QUANTITIES, ONLY 17 PERCENT OF THOSE FACILITIES TOOK INVENTORIES ON A WEEKLY AND/OR ON-GOING BASIS. IN ADDITION, 68 PERCENT OF THE JAILS HAD SEPARATE MEDICAL RECORDS SYSTEMS, BUT THE RECORDS WERE AVAILABLE TO NONMEDICAL PERSONNEL ONLY IN 29 PERCENT OF THOSE CASES. A TOTAL OF 88 PERCENT OF THE JAILS REQUIRED PROOF OF LICENSURE WHEN HIRING MEDICAL PERSONNEL, BUT ONLY 59 PERCENT REQUIRED PROOF THAT SUCH LICENSURE BE KEPT CURRENT. HOWEVER, 92 PERCENT OF THE JAILS DID HAVE A SPECIFIC HEALTH SERVICES RESOURCE, SUCH AS A CLINIC OR PHYSICIAN'S OFFICE, AND INDIVIDUAL PHYSICIANS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR SERVICES IN 77 PERCENT OF THE CASES. A MAJORITY OF THE FACILITIES PROVIDING IN-HOUSE MEDICAL CARE HAD A SEPARATE ROOM WHERE JUVENILES COULD BE EXAMINED AND TREATED IN PRIVATE, OFFERED ON-GOING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND DENTAL TREATMENT, AND PROVIDED HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS. THE SERVING OF SPECIAL DIETS IN 84 PERCENT OF THE JAILS AND FREE REPLACEMENT OF PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS IN 97 PERCENT OF THE FACILITIES ALSO INDICATE ATTENTION TO MORE THAN JUST BASIC SURVIVAL NEEDS. THE QUESTIONNAIRE IS APPENDED. (RCB)