Correctional Facilities-geographic differences

Specialties Correctional

Published

Specializes in ER, PACU, CORRECTIONAL HEALTH, FLIGHT.

I am a former Texas prison nurse. 3 years ago I was misplaced here in Georgia and went to work making BIG bucks as an independent contractor for GA DOC. Let me tell yall, Texas knows how to RUN PRISONS. I didnt care how much money I made working for the various GA DOC facilities-i worked Penitentiary, Max Security, boot camps/detention centers, and county jails....there is NO WAY i will work correctional health again in this state. Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) rocks. "Dont mess with Texas" is the slogan, and they really mean it. It's pretty darn sad when I am tougher than the corrections officers here in GA-they are weak spineless-inmates could be hostile and run their mouths and the officers just stand there and ignore it. In Texas, they dont play. They covered my back. The ONLY time I was ever in danger of being hurt by an inmate was here in GA-when an officer just left a maximum security high custody level inmate in the treatment room with me alone, because the officer didnt believe me when I told him that the inmate was malingering and was not post-ictal and did not have a seizure. Well, the officer leaves me to do something, help another officer do count somewhere, and guess what, the supposedly "post ictal" inmate suddenly lunges off of the guerney towards me attempting to attack me. Lucky for me, I practice situational awareness and never cornered myself in the room, so I made a quick exit out of there, and had to holler out for someone to call for help. I got to admit, I was shaken up. The Warden apologized left and right...yadayada...........

So anyway------to get to the point, what is your take on the states in which you have practiced correctional health nursing? which states do you like and why? which ones dont you like and why? would love to hear about geographical differences. thanks yall!

Arizona is like Texas, as you described it. California is a strange, strange world where the inmates run things, but at the same time they don't. I suppose because the CDC is such a behemoth and so slow and disorganized. . .

I prefer Arizona, but the lack of care for inmates troubles me. I have also worked a prison on the East Coast and found it loose as far as custody goes -- like you say it is in Georgia.

I agree...for the most part GA prisons are very lax in security where the nurses are concerned. I am in the process of moving back to Florida and the CO's there take their job of protecting the nurses very seriously (at least in the facilities I've worked through an agency). I've worked with some wonderful CO's in GA, but as a general rule, they are spread too thin to be able to watch all the inmates. I actually feel like the inmates will have my back before some of the CO's will! Isn't that something to think about? :deadhorse

Specializes in ER, PACU, CORRECTIONAL HEALTH, FLIGHT.

which units did you work at in GA? you can PM me if you wish with the info. i worked in several, including the pen.........worst prison system i have seen. no other state have i worked in, are nurses and doctors skeered of liability. my saying when an inmate didnt get his narcs that he was drug seeking for and threatened to sue, was "well, i hope you get as good a lawyer as the one who got you in here" BWAAHAAAHAAA! shoot, i stuck to my guns-i know that i dont deny them their rights to basic medical care, and i do appropriately assess and treat them, but i am not going to be manipulated and "give in" to their games just cuz of fear of liability. heck no, i have worked as an RN for 14 years in critical care areas and have never been concerned about being sued, and i sure as hayull wont be concerned when it comes to inmates of all people!

glad to hear that FL DOC runs a tight ship. THANK GAWD!

I agree...for the most part GA prisons are very lax in security where the nurses are concerned. I am in the process of moving back to Florida and the CO's there take their job of protecting the nurses very seriously (at least in the facilities I've worked through an agency). I've worked with some wonderful CO's in GA, but as a general rule, they are spread too thin to be able to watch all the inmates. I actually feel like the inmates will have my back before some of the CO's will! Isn't that something to think about? :deadhorse
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