I/M Harrassment- CO's doing nothing

MaritesaRN · Oct 24, 2008

You know I only have heard stories about prison nurses, and I do not believe they can pay me to work there. I take my hat off for you.

You need the full cooperation of the staff to support you . this is like disciplining kids...must be consistent ..staff can be a problem or the contributor of the problem . Who does the QA of the prison? who comes and inspects them ? Whos is the safety officer? (should not

work there but an independent or outside hire). Who are above the CO's. It is good to know as to what your options are. but if this prison places is truly one of those places where they are an independent island...they can do what they want! That is why I am voting for rehab.....there are more rules and regs to follow. Do you want to continue working in this prison?

NurseLite · Oct 26, 2008

Welcome to prison! If you are in Level 5 and that is all they are doing ... consider yourself lucky!

This is a daily affair in correctional nursing and if it really offends/upsets you, this isn't your field. This is not for the faint at heart.

I/M Games 101 ... Fluster the nurse.

They want reaction, they want to embarrass you and they want to see you cry. Once they get their wanker slammed in the food flap by the nurse, they will think twice!

newLPN04 · Oct 27, 2008

I was a Correctional Officer for about 2 years, and I'm here to tell you there is no way I would work as a nurse in a prison. I was put in the Infirmary one nite, and when an inmate was brought in to be seen by the nurse, I was her first line of defense..I thought no way. I knew that if anything happened I would do my best, but I also knew that I was gonna save my own tail. And a lot of times there are only 2 officers in the infirmary on 2nd and 3rd shift, the officer working the door, and the officer on the floor like I was that one shift. And as others here have said, but maybe in different words, if you are going to work in an environment such as a prison, if you don't have a tough skin, hurry up and grow yourself one..or find someplace else to work..also..don't let a single inmate find out any personal info about you, and if you happen to catch sight of an inmate that you once knew as an acquaintance, regardless of how casual an acquaintance it was, let someone superior to you know. You have no business working around an inmate such as that, you just never know if they will remember you or not, and if did, might think you will give them favors that you wouldn't others in their situation. Good luck, and be safe.

newLPN04 · Oct 27, 2008

The power of the pen is about the best you can do. They are already in prison, what else can you do or take away from them? Just be sure and document carefully, file grievances, whatever paperwork needs to be done. It will be your word against the inmates. I'm really sorry that anyone trying to do a good job has to put up with harrassment of any form.

articnurseRN · Oct 27, 2008

Thank you for your responses. I was away for several days, so I just now got a chance to check this site. I don't know about who does QA, etc. I'm sure, like in any prison, medical is very isolated, and a teeny part of the scheme of things. Since starting, I feel like I got dropped into the deep end of a swimming pool & have been dog paddling, struggling to keep up. The job itself is a lot to learn. Then to add all the inmate game type stuff, it makes it very hard. I like the 7 days off and the people I work with are pretty nice. However, it is not really for me. I read the book Games Criminals Play and came away with the following, which seems to be my mantra before starting my shift: Be firm, fair & consistent; Learn to say no & mean it; Be professional; They are always out to compromise & manipulate you; Do not give them any personal information; Do not do any favors; Keep things in the open, or they will think there is something secretive going on between you and them. I find it extremely difficult to just perform skills on the inmates, & not be able to interact with them as patients. I'm professional and have a sort of poker face, but nobody told me anything, like do not introduce yourself by your first name, as this a way for them to get familiar with you. So it's been trial by fire & I've made a lot of mistakes. I had a vague security briefing, which did not explain anything, really, other than how drugs and cigarettes get into the place. I'm up here in Alaska & I chose it because it is a State of Alaska job, in a small town, where my retirement is at. However, there are lots of State of Alaska positions elsewhere. My hat is off to those who work in the environment, too. I guess others are just "tougher" than me. I don't think it's worth it. The job is hard enough without the constant, pervasive harrassment. On a positive note, I would say that most of the inmates are respectful and appreciative. Most of the CO's seem like angels, too. Performing a service for society. I'm just not sure why the CO's on my rotation in the segregation mod do not say anything when one individual in particular taunts or curses at me. Almost all of the inmates in this seg mod are respectful. I was surprised to hear one of these inmates who never gave medical a problem be so vile to the CO's. Maybe that is why they do not say anything? It could be that they are burnt out and it is par for the course in the job. I do feel really bad for the CO's to come to work and put up with the verbal abuse & & threats, though. I wouldn't want anyone I know to work in a prison. Not a fun place. It seems like a very sick environment. I know I did choose to get a job there. And I thought I could handle it due to my previous job experience as a psychiatric nurse, which I loved every minute of. Corrections is entirely different. About the only thing that is similar is that you are locked in and are aware of security issues. Psych. patients can curse at you & hurt you & stuff, too, but the nurse has control, and they are not ugly, disturbing threats. It gets nipped in the bud & stopped, & it was for a reason, such as setting a limit, not to do just for sick fun. :cry: (I know people probably cringe when they think of psych nursing, but I honestly loved it. I felt like my paycheck was free money. It was always fun and exciting. Like a broadway show. And, I was helping people.) Anyway, thank you all again for responding. I really appreciate it. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. That is one of the beauties of nursing. One can always go up, reinvent oneself, specialize, practically name one's own shift & wage, and have almost limitless possibilities. Take care.

bav2 · Oct 27, 2008

In my facility the DOs are terrific. As a nurse I can refuse meds to any inmate for this behavior. I would have cancelled all of his medications and not ret4runed until he was disciplined.

MaritesaRN · Oct 27, 2008

Thank you for your responses. I was away for several days, so I just now got a chance to check this site. I don't know about who does QA, etc. I'm sure, like in any prison, medical is very isolated, and a teeny part of the scheme of things. Since starting, I feel like I got dropped into the deep end of a swimming pool & have been dog paddling, struggling to keep up. The job itself is a lot to learn. Then to add all the inmate game type stuff, it makes it very hard. I like the 7 days off and the people I work with are pretty nice. However, it is not really for me. I read the book Games Criminals Play and came away with the following, which seems to be my mantra before starting my shift: Be firm, fair & consistent; Learn to say no & mean it; Be professional; They are always out to compromise & manipulate you; Do not give them any personal information; Do not do any favors; Keep things in the open, or they will think there is something secretive going on between you and them. I find it extremely difficult to just perform skills on the inmates, & not be able to interact with them as patients. I'm professional and have a sort of poker face, but nobody told me anything, like do not introduce yourself by your first name, as this a way for them to get familiar with you. So it's been trial by fire & I've made a lot of mistakes. I had a vague security briefing, which did not explain anything, really, other than how drugs and cigarettes get into the place. I'm up here in Alaska & I chose it because it is a State of Alaska job, in a small town, where my retirement is at. However, there are lots of State of Alaska positions elsewhere. My hat is off to those who work in the environment, too. I guess others are just "tougher" than me. I don't think it's worth it. The job is hard enough without the constant, pervasive harrassment. On a positive note, I would say that most of the inmates are respectful and appreciative. Most of the CO's seem like angels, too. Performing a service for society. I'm just not sure why the CO's on my rotation in the segregation mod do not say anything when one individual in particular taunts or curses at me. Almost all of the inmates in this seg mod are respectful. I was surprised to hear one of these inmates who never gave medical a problem be so vile to the CO's. Maybe that is why they do not say anything? It could be that they are burnt out and it is par for the course in the job. I do feel really bad for the CO's to come to work and put up with the verbal abuse & & threats, though. I wouldn't want anyone I know to work in a prison. Not a fun place. It seems like a very sick environment. I know I did choose to get a job there. And I thought I could handle it due to my previous job experience as a psychiatric nurse, which I loved every minute of. Corrections is entirely different. About the only thing that is similar is that you are locked in and are aware of security issues. Psych. patients can curse at you & hurt you & stuff, too, but the nurse has control, and they are not ugly, disturbing threats. It gets nipped in the bud & stopped, & it was for a reason, such as setting a limit, not to do just for sick fun. (I know people probably cringe when they think of psych nursing, but I honestly loved it. I felt like my paycheck was free money. It was always fun and exciting. Like a broadway show. And, I was helping people.) Anyway, thank you all again for responding. I really appreciate it. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. That is one of the beauties of nursing. One can always go up, reinvent oneself, specialize, practically name one's own shift & wage, and have almost limitless possibilities. Take care.

:idea: I know , I too worked in a psychiatric locked up unit, and you are in control here, if you have a team that is good , and not lazy. But the prison appears to be a different animals, not to mentioned that the prison guards may be also the problem. I think they have their own population and their own reality in there......I am sorry but I can only think of a tranquilizer gun

to be in control . :smokin:

aknurs · Nov 2, 2008

Articnurse .Which Facility do you work in? Maybe I can help you out.

If the inmate is not on a mandatory medication, I would have the officers keep him from your medline, until his behavior changes..What the inmate is doing is not acceptable. And there are ways, to get security to help you out.....

I've figured out which facility..I can e-mail you and help you out if you wish...But...like i said, if the inmate in not on a mandatory medication, call his mod officer,& tell him that the inmate is to not show up at medline, until he can behave himself. Or another option: Some of the officers are new, if so, you will have tell them how the inmate is supposed to behave during pill call. I know you shouldn't have to do that, but new officers sometimes, don't know what to expect, or what all the rules are. (You have to gently guide them.LOL) If the medication the inmate is on, is a mandatory one. Have mental health talk to him...they will help you out also. :)

MaritesaRN · Nov 3, 2008

Articnurse .Which Facility do you work in? Maybe I can help you out.
If the inmate is not on a mandatory medication, I would have the officers keep him from your medline, until his behavior changes..What the inmate is doing is not acceptable. And there are ways, to get security to help you out.....
I've figured out which facility..I can e-mail you and help you out if you wish...But...like i said, if the inmate in not on a mandatory medication, call his mod officer,& tell him that the inmate is to not show up at medline, until he can behave himself. Or another option: Some of the officers are new, if so, you will have tell them how the inmate is supposed to behave during pill call. I know you shouldn't have to do that, but new officers sometimes, don't know what to expect, or what all the rules are. (You have to gently guide them.LOL) If the medication the inmate is on, is a mandatory one. Have mental health talk to him...they will help you out also. :)

:bow: Yes, it si indeed good to know that nurses do help each other...this website renewd my faith that nurses can be collective if they jsut help each other and drop the petty things. Let us help theother nurse ladies....maybe this will break the "familial" eat your own young concept.....this is true , I have been exposed to nurses who used other new or other nurses as their stepping stone to their crumbling ego---get a therapist and fix it you bully !...do not take it out on the new ones or the otherr nurses!!! We need them to enter into the nursing field with a confidence.

Vito Andolini · Nov 9, 2008

Thank you for your responses. I was away for several days, so I just now got a chance to check this site. I don't know about who does QA, etc. I'm sure, like in any prison, medical is very isolated, and a teeny part of the scheme of things. Since starting, I feel like I got dropped into the deep end of a swimming pool & have been dog paddling, struggling to keep up. The job itself is a lot to learn. Then to add all the inmate game type stuff, it makes it very hard. I like the 7 days off and the people I work with are pretty nice. However, it is not really for me. I read the book Games Criminals Play and came away with the following, which seems to be my mantra before starting my shift: Be firm, fair & consistent; Learn to say no & mean it; Be professional; They are always out to compromise & manipulate you; Do not give them any personal information; Do not do any favors; Keep things in the open, or they will think there is something secretive going on between you and them. I find it extremely difficult to just perform skills on the inmates, & not be able to interact with them as patients. I'm professional and have a sort of poker face, but nobody told me anything, like do not introduce yourself by your first name, as this a way for them to get familiar with you. So it's been trial by fire & I've made a lot of mistakes. I had a vague security briefing, which did not explain anything, really, other than how drugs and cigarettes get into the place. I'm up here in Alaska & I chose it because it is a State of Alaska job, in a small town, where my retirement is at. However, there are lots of State of Alaska positions elsewhere. My hat is off to those who work in the environment, too. I guess others are just "tougher" than me. I don't think it's worth it. The job is hard enough without the constant, pervasive harrassment. On a positive note, I would say that most of the inmates are respectful and appreciative. Most of the CO's seem like angels, too. Performing a service for society. I'm just not sure why the CO's on my rotation in the segregation mod do not say anything when one individual in particular taunts or curses at me. Almost all of the inmates in this seg mod are respectful. I was surprised to hear one of these inmates who never gave medical a problem be so vile to the CO's. Maybe that is why they do not say anything? It could be that they are burnt out and it is par for the course in the job. I do feel really bad for the CO's to come to work and put up with the verbal abuse & & threats, though. I wouldn't want anyone I know to work in a prison. Not a fun place. It seems like a very sick environment. I know I did choose to get a job there. And I thought I could handle it due to my previous job experience as a psychiatric nurse, which I loved every minute of. Corrections is entirely different. About the only thing that is similar is that you are locked in and are aware of security issues. Psych. patients can curse at you & hurt you & stuff, too, but the nurse has control, and they are not ugly, disturbing threats. It gets nipped in the bud & stopped, & it was for a reason, such as setting a limit, not to do just for sick fun. (I know people probably cringe when they think of psych nursing, but I honestly loved it. I felt like my paycheck was free money. It was always fun and exciting. Like a broadway show. And, I was helping people.) Anyway, thank you all again for responding. I really appreciate it. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. That is one of the beauties of nursing. One can always go up, reinvent oneself, specialize, practically name one's own shift & wage, and have almost limitless possibilities. Take care.

If Psych felt like free money to you, you were probably never physically assaulted and battered. One good punch in the face, 1 shanking or rape would make you feel like you were earning every penny.

Perhaps the CO's are compromised? Or maybe they don't get the back-up they need to run the place right. Or maybe they're lazy or scared or who knows what. Have you talked to them about the problem? If not, could you do that? Let them know how you feel - if you think they wouldn't totally throw you to the dogs, set you up, or worse.

You can try telling the inmates who are giving you a hard time that there is going to be a change. Let them know that they may no longer do whatever it is they do that you deem unacceptable and that this is their 1 and only warning. Then, the very next time they violate the rules, write them up - if you have cleared this with the sergeant, lu, captain, whoever is in charge. Because you are going to need back-up. If you feel unsupported, you are probably in danger and need to get out of there. Or can you get the problem inmates transferred? Maybe you can do this without them knowing who did it.

I don't guess you could try humor, ignoring the behavior, some reward system, or prayer. Or try throwing up on them. I guarantee they'll be turned off and will be less likely to harrass you.

Remember, these are men locked up, no women available. They are in great need of sexual release. Keep safe.

Vito Andolini · Nov 9, 2008

In my facility the DOs are terrific. As a nurse I can refuse meds to any inmate for this behavior. I would have cancelled all of his medications and not ret4runed until he was disciplined.

Not sure where you work that you can refuse meds. This sounds like your license could be in danger if he has a bad reaction to you refusing him his prescribed medications.

I can see delaying them a very short while if he's being violent or just too, too rude for words. Or I can see it if it's a PRN tylenol or something else OTC. But bp meds, heart meds, anti-epileptic, antipsychotics, DM meds, gee willies. Never would I ever refuse meds, no matter how rude the inmate. I don't need any lawsuits.

Arctic Nurse, I think a lot of problems can be headed off by just ignoring crude remarks and lewd, suggestive behaviors. Dropped pants? Just ignore it. You've seen undressed men before. You're a :nurse: . Nothing new. Or tell him you hope he doesn't catch cold :lol2: and do NOT be flustered when you say it. Keep working, do grow a thicker skin. And do ask the CO's advice on how to handle your problems.