Tell Me What It's Really Like

I worked as an LPN at a jail for about two weeks, then quit. Not because the inmates were bad though: it was the nurses!!! Some are so rude!!!! I guess I don't cope that well and I just up and quit. I regret it though, b/c the inmates themselves are COOL.

I work in my state's medical and classification prison. Any offender entering the DOC comes through our facility first, is classified, and then moved on to another camp. Except for most of the sex offenders. They usually serve their time at our facility (and yes, very often they have very long sentences), as typically, they would not do well in other settings. Interestingly enough, most of them are very behaviorally appropriate and have jobs within the prison: ADL workers on the geriatric ward, hospice workers, assisting patients in the two psychiatric hospital units, monitoring other offenders on suicide watch, escorting groups of reception offenders to and from the health services clinic, etc. They do their jobs well, are dependable and respectful. I have never felt threatened or sexualized by any of them, but, then again, so often their crimes were against children, and adult females may not be of particular interest.

Inmates can misbehave in many ways, including verbal intimidation and exposing themselves and whatnot. Most likely won't, but yes some will from time to time. Goes with the territory.
As well, like the other commentator, I concur the LPNs can be pretty rough on a newcomer. You've got 17 years in so you've likely encountered this type of attitude before. Nonetheless, to be absolutely sure, I would consider going PRN to get your feet wet first.
Remember, "Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread"

I think the only problem you may have is setting appropriate boundaries with inmate patients. It's really different to working in the "real world". For example, a new nurse at our facility sent a pass to an inmate with a note "from your friendly nurses". I would not have a problem with that in a nursing home or hospital, but in a prison??? That's a BIG NO-NO. This could give the inmate the impression that the nurse is interested in him and may see it as an invitation to try to establish a relationship with the nurse.

However, working with inmates is a lot easier if you can keep an emotional distance. There are repercussions for bad behavior and unlike the real world, you know exactly who you are dealing with. I agree with another poster that mostly inmates are respectful and grateful for the care we give. Of course, there are exceptions!

Unfortunately, that can be true....

Sex offenders are at the bottom of the pecking order behind the fences. They tend to keep a low profile - especially those who have victimized children. I have worked on a couple of units that included a lot of sex offenders, and they tended to be pretty quiet units.

Here in Georgia there does not seem to be any pecking order in reference to sexual offenders. About the only thing it get one is no outside of the fence details..........