Hello, I just finished my 4th week of a rotation at a 500 + maximum security population. I have had problems with a couple of I/M's. One I firmly redirected not to call me by my first name & curse at me, which I wrote him up for. His behavior has continued to be taunting, harrassing, & threatening, & the CO's on my pill pass did nothing about it. When I finally wrote him up, the seargent or the higher ups took some sort of action, and it stopped, but now it is continuing again. So they are going to take action again. However, aren't the CO's supposed to do/say something when it happens & not just leave me to fend for myself? Another I/M has had his pants down 3 days in a row, showing his boxer shorts & doing this sexual tongue thing at me. I firmly redirected him to pull his pants up, twice, but he just laughed, & refused to follow the direct orders. Again, the CO's do not say anything. I would appreciate any of your responses. Thank you.
Specializes in psychiatric, UR analyst, fraud, DME,MedB.
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.
I think I have read enough of the prison nurse , that i do not think I would feel like it is a calling for me. It is definitely a diferent beast in it's own. I have heard also that there is a lot of having their own laws among the prison staffers...which makes it worst. Don't you think that a drug to decrease libido should be given to male prisoners , as well as female prisoners to decrease some behavioral problem from the sexual energy? Maybe there will be less to 0 incients of rape among the inmates??? I too was a lock up psych nurse, in both county and va facilities. Counties are worst due to understaffing and inefficient nurse managers........it really makes a difference in inefficient and efficient managers & supervisors for these are the people who have the power to change the ward environ.:typing
Specializes in psychiatric, UR analyst, fraud, DME,MedB.
do that and they will sue you, and you will get fired and lose your retirement.
they have more rights than you.
never forget that.
if you cant take the heat, get out of the prison.
some CO's will help you, some won't.
some will tell you to ignore them and move on.
if you write up the CO's, guess who will now be against you.
know what a slow code is in a hospital, well they have slow alarms towards certain staff too.
:angryfire and this is acceptable to you? In that case who would like to work in a place where it appears that you have to do favors to the co and prison guards just so nobody can hurt you? Wow, we are in a big trouble with an acceptance like this. What else do you have to do to the CO's and prison guards to "buy" your protection? This can come in all sorts of favors, isn't it? I do not agree in too much prison...only for die hard murderers, and we should focus on rehab....but I guess prison is a money making thing, then those CO's and prison guard have their own "country" to rule. this is ust not acceptable!
My friend had an inmate using the "F" word. He let him know he was going to sue him for sexual harassment. Every time he got close to a new bag of Ramen at the commissary, my friend would be there waiting before him to collect it. He would work a second job if needed to hire the best lawyer he could find to sue the inmate so far into oblivion that if the inmate was ever lucky enough to score big in a lawsuit, the nurse would still be collecting the money in front of him.
The inmate considered his options, namely being an "indentured servant" to his pod because he would never be able to retain any sense of wealth or property, even in prison. The inmate apologized and there were no further problems.
Inmates do what you let them do, and you should expect them to try and get away with as much as they can, because they aren't exactly there for being model citizens. At the same time, keep in mind that a lot of guys are just doing their time, don't want any trouble and are there because they made a bad mistake any of us could have. Don't become cruel because nurses are there to bring the inmates up to their level, and provide nursing care/ services.
:angryfire and this is acceptable to you? In that case who would like to work in a place where it appears that you have to do favors to the co and prison guards just so nobody can hurt you? Wow, we are in a big trouble with an acceptance like this. What else do you have to do to the CO's and prison guards to "buy" your protection? This can come in all sorts of favors, isn't it? I do not agree in too much prison...only for die hard murderers, and we should focus on rehab....but I guess prison is a money making thing, then those CO's and prison guard have their own "country" to rule. this is ust not acceptable!
I used to feel much sorrier for lawbreakers and for mentally ill people than I currently do. I, like you, thought rehab was the answer. Unfortunately, after many years of working with patients like this, I am discouraged and no longer feel too much that way. Sickness and tough breaks in life are real and they are sad. But they cannot be allowed to be a reason for letting people commit crimes. People have to be punished for wrongdoing or there cannot be a civilized society. I think the death penalty should be given to anyone for any crime against a person because of the terror the victim suffers. With DNA, it is easier to be sure we have the right wrongdoer, so that will eliminate most of putting the wrong person to death. Perfect answer? No. Just the way I see it now.
As for kissing up to CO's, it sounds like working in jail isn't really the right job for you. If you want their help, you've got to be nice to them. Or, yes, you could be slow-coded to death or great injury. I hope you find more suitable, happier work soon.
My friend had an inmate using the "F" word. He let him know he was going to sue him for sexual harassment. Every time he got close to a new bag of Ramen at the commissary, my friend would be there waiting before him to collect it. He would work a second job if needed to hire the best lawyer he could find to sue the inmate so far into oblivion that if the inmate was ever lucky enough to score big in a lawsuit, the nurse would still be collecting the money in front of him.
The inmate considered his options, namely being an "indentured servant" to his pod because he would never be able to retain any sense of wealth or property, even in prison. The inmate apologized and there were no further problems.
This could backfire in a riot or if the prison were taken over by the inmates.
You are respected more for standing up for yourself, than turning the other cheek. The criminal inmate mind is mainly about two things- respect and greed.
If you are solid, they will take their games somewhere else and your job will be easy compared to the people still being hassled by the inmates. Doing the job is what we are there for, that is what it is all about.
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
The next time an inmate flashes you, try pointing & laughing while telling how small his appendage is.
It's been a long time since I was a prison nurse, but I did find that having a sense of humor, and an ability to talk smack when appropriate & when needed, helped a lot. At least that worked for me.
The next time an inmate flashes you, try pointing & laughing while telling how small his appendage is.
It's been a long time since I was a prison nurse, but I did find that having a sense of humor, and an ability to talk smack when appropriate & when needed, helped a lot. At least that worked for me.
Good luck to you.
I know a nurse who did this. The inmate filed a grievance against her, went to the grievance officer and then the warden. The warden informed the inmate that based on nurse "X"'s experience in nursing and assessment, that she is qualified to know if the appendage is small or not, and the inmate should keep his britches up.
Specializes in psychiatric, UR analyst, fraud, DME,MedB.
I used to feel much sorrier for lawbreakers and for mentally ill people than I currently do. I, like you, thought rehab was the answer. Unfortunately, after many years of working with patients like this, I am discouraged and no longer feel too much that way. Sickness and tough breaks in life are real and they are sad. But they cannot be allowed to be a reason for letting people commit crimes. People have to be punished for wrongdoing or there cannot be a civilized society. I think the death penalty should be given to anyone for any crime against a person because of the terror the victim suffers. With DNA, it is easier to be sure we have the right wrongdoer, so that will eliminate most of putting the wrong person to death. Perfect answer? No. Just the way I see it now.
As for kissing up to CO's, it sounds like working in jail isn't really the right job for you. If you want their help, you've got to be nice to them. Or, yes, you could be slow-coded to death or great injury. I hope you find more suitable, happier work soon.
:) I am in a happier work situation. I do audits and review claims and documentation and save the government some money from fraudulent providers.
From what I hear it appears like the majority is embracing the fact that if you work in a prison, there is really no right and wrong ----it simply depends on what favors you have offered , to be safe in this environment? Somehow, I can see why we have this problem in prison , we allow a form of dictatorship , and every time a few or one man in power , it spells trouble . Maybe the prison management should be put into bid for a private contract? This way their progress or non progress is annually audited for quality management. I also know more than ever that this is definitely NOT my type of a career nor an environmental choice of a job.
Thank you for the response ..it does help me to know what is not feasible for me.
Perhaps I should have chimed in earlier. In my facility there definately is right and wrong and my safety in no way relies upon my doing "favors" for co's. The co's and I are a team. It is one of the best jobs I have ever had. EVER. We are all professionals here to do a job. While I agree with many of the pp's here (and Ion you had me rolling on the floor) I take umbrage that someone would think I had to or was willing to do favors for co's for safety.
That being said my MSO director does keep a basket of candy in here for everyone.
Specializes in psychiatric, UR analyst, fraud, DME,MedB.
Perhaps I should have chimed in earlier. In my facility there definately is right and wrong and my safety in no way relies upon my doing "favors" for co's. The co's and I are a team. It is one of the best jobs I have ever had. EVER. We are all professionals here to do a job. While I agree with many of the pp's here (and Ion you had me rolling on the floor) I take umbrage that someone would think I had to or was willing to do favors for co's for safety.
That being said my MSO director does keep a basket of candy in here for everyone.
:nurse:Thank you . For a while there I was writing away the correction career, but I believe in places like this, they must have a tight teamwork or someone could really get hurt. It is nice to know that the "normal" of this places is not as morbid as painted by other nurses! I guess each place has it's own, and we all have different specialties and niches. thanks again .
MaritesaRN
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