Nursing with Prisoners: The Practice of Caring, Forensic Nursing or Penal Harm Nursing?

Abstract

The number of incarcerated persons in the United States has been increasing dramatically over the last two decades. Incarcerated men and women have increased rates of serious and chronic physical and mental illnesses and therefore require substantial health care efforts. Caring for prisoners is a difficult and often unrewarding experience for health care providers, particularly within a social climate that encourages noncaring behaviors. This article critically analyzes three philosophic stances toward nursing care with prisoners and suggests their philosophic commensurability within traditional nursing practice. Implications for nursing practice, research, and education are discussed.

Caring in Correctional Nursing

“…Consequently, some CNs may experience diminished caring toward offenders (Alexander-Rodriguez, 1983), leading to the failure to provide individualized care (Hufft & Fawkes, 1994). The penal harm mentality common to most secure environments may overwhelm CNs, and negatively influence nursing practice (Maeve & Vaughn, 2001).…”

“…Caring is the core of nursing (Maeve & Vaughn, 2001). CNs must deliver healthcare services in a caring manner to facilitate offenders' health and well-being (Weiskopf, 2005).…”

“…CNs may be pressured to conform to the custodial mentality (Maeve & Vaughn, 2001), which could override the element of humanity (Willmott, 1997). Nurses may experience a loss of practice ownership because nursing values are compromised to accommodate the philosophical correctional priorities of compliance, segregation, and discipline (Doyle, 1999).…”

“…Consequently, CNs encounter difficulties developing positive relationships with correctional officers. Correctional officers are guided by different ethical principles than CNs, which may impact the development of positive relationships (Maeve & Vaughn, 2001). Maintaining positive relationships with correctional officers is required because of the violent environments (Maeve & Vaughn, 2001;Maroney, 2005).…”

“…Correctional officers are guided by different ethical principles than CNs, which may impact the development of positive relationships (Maeve & Vaughn, 2001). Maintaining positive relationships with correctional officers is required because of the violent environments (Maeve & Vaughn, 2001;Maroney, 2005). Nurses must integrate correctional priorities into their practice to contribute to the safety of these environments (Maeve & Vaughn, 2001).…”