NCJ Number
39877
Date Published
1977
Length
77 pages
Annotation
REPORT ON A STUDY OF JAIL HEALTH NEEDS IN FLORIDA'S SHORT-TERM PENAL INSTITUTIONS (STPI) AND YOUTH DETENTION CENTERS (YDC), WHICH OBSERVED ACTUAL JAIL HEALTH PRACTICES AND MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT.
Abstract
TWENTY-NINE FACILITIES, INCLUDING TWO SHORT-TERM AND TWO LONG-TERM YDCS AND TWENTY-FIVE ADULT DETENTION FACILITIES, REPRESENTING NINETEEN COUNTIES WERE VISITED. THE STUDY TEAMS FOCUSED ON LEARNING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF DETAINEES, OBSERVING HOW THOSE NEEDS WERE BEING SATISFIED AS WELL AS THE HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO EACH LOCATION, AND DEVELOPING AN IDEAL HEALTH CARE PATTERN FOR EACH. IN ADDITION, THEORETICAL SHORTCOMINGS OF THE MODEL WERE TO BE DETERMINED, AND A MODEL HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY PROGRAM WAS TO BE DEVELOPED AND TESTED FOR EACH SITE. FINDINGS INDICATE THAT THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO SHORT-TERM DETAINEES IS UNEVEN. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE APPOINTING A MEDICAL DIRECTOR AND COMPLEMENTARY STAFF; INCREASING PRE-DETENTION AND DETENTION SCREENING EFFORTS; STANDARDIZING MEDICAL RECORD FORMS AND REPORTING PROCEDURES; PROVIDING INDOOR AND OUTDOOR RECREATION AND USEFUL WORK PROJECTS; AND CONDUCTING A SIMILAR STUDY AT THE STATE LEVEL.....EB