Hired at a correctional....any advise?

RNtoFNP20yrs · Jul 21, 2017

Be firm and fair and consistent with all inmates. When you're the newbie, they will try to play you to see what you will or won't do. We had nurse get fired because she gave a candy bar to an inmate in our restricted housing unit, because he was 'being good'. A Psychologist was walked off for an inappropriate relationship with one of our lifers. He's got nothing to lose, he's in prison for life. There is NOTHING that an inmate can offer you no matter how they try to sweet-talk you. They tried with me but I didn't fall for it.

I earned their respect by treating them with respect. I told them when I started that I didn't care why they were here. I'm here to provide healthcare. Some of my coworkers treat them poorly. I don't. I told them that I will respect you and I expect the same in return. If you disrespect me, I will do the bare minimum that is required of me by the state board of nursing and the DOC policies. Mostly, I don't have any problems with them. I get more trouble from my coworkers....imagine that.

Don't play favorites. Treat them all the same. Stay within your pay grade and practice according to your facility policy & Board of Nursing regulations and you'll be fine and don't forget to DOCUMENT! DOCUMENT! DOCUMENT!!!! It applies in corrections too!

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Jul 25, 2017

We had nurse get fired because she gave a candy bar to an inmate in our restricted housing unit, because he was 'being good'. A Psychologist was walked off for an inappropriate relationship with one of our lifers. He's got nothing to lose, he's in prison for life. There is NOTHING that an inmate can offer you no matter how they try to sweet-talk you.

I have seen far too many things like this happen over the years, often to veteran employees who you would believe would know better. A dental assistant was fired after bringing in CDs to her "favorite" inmate, which led to her getting blackmailed into having sex with him. A records officer threw away a lengthy career by getting caught in a clinch with one of the inmate porters. An outpatient psych nurse had to resign her position due to her exposed relationship with a former inmate who was on parole. An RN was fired after our investigative unit found an entry in the public record showing that she and a former inmate had gotten a marriage license. Two correctional officers were fired because one was pimping the other to inmates and having the inmates' families send money to an outside bank account. And these aren't the only cases that I know of, just the ones that immediately come to mind.

One way to avoid compromise, apart from never bringing anything in or carrying anything out for an inmate, is to never disclose any personal information to an inmate. I seldom have inmates in my office, but it is purposely decorated with nothing. I don't want an inmate to know any more about me when he leaves the office than he did when he came in. No family photos, vacation photos, diplomas, hobby items or sports logos are on display on my office walls or on my desk, and that is intentional.

Also remember that inmates can get information from conversations that they overhear as well as direct conversations. Be mindful of who is in the area when you discuss personal details with coworkers.

If an inmate knows personal details about you, he can use them to try to manipulate you by cultivating your sympathy, convincing you that he "understands", and so forth. It is a badge of honor on the yard to take down a staff member. Don't give them the ammunition.

RNtoFNP20yrs · Jul 26, 2017

i have seen far too many things like this happen over the years, often to veteran employees who you would believe would know better. A dental assistant was fired after bringing in cds to her "favorite" inmate, which led to her getting blackmailed into having sex with him. A records officer threw away a lengthy career by getting caught in a clinch with one of the inmate porters. An outpatient psych nurse had to resign her position due to her exposed relationship with a former inmate who was on parole. An rn was fired after our investigative unit found an entry in the public record showing that she and a former inmate had gotten a marriage license. Two correctional officers were fired because one was pimping the other to inmates and having the inmates' families send money to an outside bank account. And these aren't the only cases that i know of, just the ones that immediately come to mind.
One way to avoid compromise, apart from never bringing anything in or carrying anything out for an inmate, is to never disclose any personal information to an inmate. I seldom have inmates in my office, but it is purposely decorated with nothing. I don't want an inmate to know any more about me when he leaves the office than he did when he came in. No family photos, vacation photos, diplomas, hobby items or sports logos are on display on my office walls or on my desk, and that is intentional.
Also remember that inmates can get information from conversations that they overhear as well as direct conversations. Be mindful of who is in the area when you discuss personal details with coworkers.
If an inmate knows personal details about you, he can use them to try to manipulate you by cultivating your sympathy, convincing you that he "understands", and so forth. It is a badge of honor on the yard to take down a staff member. Don't give them the ammunition.

this!!!! A thousand times this!!

RNtoFNP20yrs · Jul 28, 2017

And don't ever give them anything extra. Not even a bandaid!

smllattnspn21, MSN, RN · Jul 29, 2017

Games criminals play:

My Regional supervisor is buying this book for all her HSA's, that way, we have a teaching aide for our new nurses who have never worked a day in corrections. Its a whole different ball game inside the concrete palace.