NCJ Number
58541
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
OPERATIONS OF AN INMATE MEDICAL RECEIVING SCREENING PROGRAM ARE DISCUSSED, AND THE BENEFITS OF SUCH A PROGRAM ARE NOTED.
Abstract
BENEFITS TO THE INMATES OF A MEDICAL RECEIVING SCREENING PROGRAM IN JAILS AND PRISONS INCLUDE HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MEDICAL COMPLAINTS TO A STAFF THAT CAN DEAL WITH THEM AND ESTABLISHING A POINT OF CONTACT THAT CAN RELIEVE INMATES' ANXIETIES ABOUT THEIR PHYSICAL WELL-BEING WHILE INCARCERATED. BENEFITS TO THE INSTITUTION OF A RECEIVING SCREENING PROGRAM INCLUDE OBTAINING AN INMATE MEDICAL PROFILE, PROVIDING A MEDICAL TREATMENT PLAN FOR EACH INMATE WHICH HELPS REDUCE CRISIS TREATMENT, AND DEVELOPING THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE MEDICAL SERVICES. IN INSTITUTIONS WITH AN EXISTING MEDICAL SERVICE, PROGRAM RECEIVING SCREENING CAN BE IMPLEMENTED WITH LITTLE ADDITIONAL COST OR INCREASED WORKLOAD FOR THE STAFF. WHERE NO MEDICAL SERVICE IS IN EFFECT, THE CUSTODIAL STAFF CAN GATHER MEDICAL HISTORY INFORMATION THROUGH A PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED QUESTIONNAIRE AND BE TRAINED TO CONDUCT THE BASICS OF A PHYSICAL EXAM; HOWEVER, DIAGNOSIS WILL REQUIRE PROFESSIONAL HEALTH PERSONNEL PARTICIPATION. SPACE AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS ALSO HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED. IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO CONTRACT WITH A LOCAL HOSPITAL TO HAVE SENIOR MEDICAL RESIDENTS IN INTERNAL MEDICINE DO A ROTATION AT THE JAIL OR PRISON AS PART OF THEIR RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT. IN RURAL AREAS, STATE MEDICAL SOCIETIES CAN BE HELPFUL IN SOLICITING PHYSICIANS WHO WOULD BE WILLING TO GIVE THEIR TIME. A RECEPTIVE LOCAL OR STATE GOVERNMENT IS ESSENTIAL FOR OBTAINING THE NECESSARY FUNDING. THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF A RECEIVING SCREENING PROGRAM ARE THAT ONCE MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE OF AN INMATE IS OBTAINED, THE INSTITUTION IS LEGALLY BOUND TO TAKE APPROPRIATE MEDICAL ACTION, AND THE INFORMATION MUST BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL, BUT INFORMATION MAY BE MADE KNOWN FOR PROPER INMATE TREATMENT.