Nurses Misbehaving While Caring For Inmates

[nursejudy15209]

Yes, I am disturbed about the bad reputation nurses are gaining at the correctional facility where I work.

One gave inmates Ultram in large quantities without an order, the other smuggled cell phones and cigarettes into the jail, and here's the latest - another just got arrested for inappropriate sexual relations with inmates.

What the heck is going on? Of course these nurses were arrested and entered the jail from the "other side of the fence". I guess I'm just baffled. I wouldn't think that nurses would engage in such behavior ESPECIALLY when our DON issued many warnings about what not to do when working as a nurse in corrections.

Needless to say, our reputation for being "the angels of mercy" that dignifies nurses around the world, is pretty much gone south. I feel that our respectability as a group has been comprimised and it just angers me. By the way, these separate incidents have happened in the short span of 3 months. Has the world gone crazy or is it just me?

What about your correctional facility? Have you ever heard of such things going on where you work? I even had a run in with somthing when I trusted the wrong person who happened to make an appearance in the medication room where I was pouring pills. Needless to say -- when it comes to narcotics, I have learned not to trust anybody! Nobody gets the chance to get that close to me or my cart again. But everything turned out OK, but I can't say the same for these other nurses. I might have been a "target" or "victim" but that's not the case with these people. They knowingly took advantage of what they thought was an easy way to get around the system built to protect those working.

Everybody gets caught sooner or later, but now that things have come to light, it makes those who actually work hard and do their jobs - uncomfortable. These nurses were my colleagues. I thought they were people who chose nursing because most of the time we do perform some kind of necessary function even if our only "patients" are those wearing jail uniforms.

Anybody with thoughts on this rather different and uncomfortable topic?

[tlc365]

You should not have too many of anything to manage. There should be, in every correctional institution residing in one of the wealthiest nations on the planet, enough high calibar, well-trained, well-paid, staff to deliver the care and service in such a manner that nothing, including the very cornerstones of nursing standards and ethics, is ever remotely in danger of compromise.

Ok in a perfect world but this is not a perfect world and staffing shortages, state cutbacks DO exist! Do you work in nursing? I guess not with a statement like that...welcome to the real world.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

I see the handwriting on the wall, and this will be my final post in this thread. Tbird, I have to say one thing for you: I would never have the audacity to go into a forum and lecture veteran nurses in a field I have never practiced in, but you seem to have no problem with it. Whatever you are looking for in nursing I sincerely hope that you find it, but here's a hint: It isn't corrections. With an approach like yours, the inmates would have you tied in so many knots you wouldn't know which end is up.

I have an abundance of patience, and I am more than happy to share my knowledge with those who are interested in areas I have experience in. Tbird is apparently more interested in telling all of us how wrong we are than in learning anything, and my patience has been exhausted.

[tbrd450]

um...okay...I'm starting to feel a little like the guy who over-dressed for a beach party.

Orca, please re-read what I have written. I have never told anybody "how wrong they are." And, to imply I have done so is a misinterpretation, mischaracterization and a bit irresponsible.

Orca, I have offered an opinion, one that clearly counters your opinion, and I did so with what I believe is solid rationale. Maybe you are not used to people disagreeing with you, but I am. In my experience, and as appears to be commonly recognized, disagreement and alternative view points are the very foundation of productive discourse, group dynamics and personal growth. That last sentence was not intended as a lecture. Your trump card seems to so easily, and solely, be pulled and played -- you are not a nurse you don't know what you are talking about.

While I do not perceive my posts as "lectures," it appears maybe a few (or more?) of you have. Therefore, I appologize. As a non-nurse, I certainly never intended to lecture nurses on nursing. In fact, it is precisely because I hold the care giving professions (like medical) in such high regard that I have offered my perspective here. If you will recall, early in my posts I have proposed that new and prospective nurses consider holding fast to their initial ideals and values about things like consideration, care giving, moral and ethical standards, and patient empathy as they move forward -- for many entering the helping fields, including medical, these serve as the very impetus for pursuing the career.

I have written of universal human truths -- things that apply to anybody in any line of work. I refuse, however, to back away from anything I have written that supports or endorses decent, humane consideration and care of patients behind bars, including my opinion (and many others) that nurses and doctors everywhere need to engage in basic clinical empathy in the course of their care. Quite frankly, I'm a little surprised that (empathy) seems to be the only, or at least primary, thing I touched on that has drawn such itemized disagreement; and yet a much broader nerve so clearly appears to have been touched. I think if you objectively re-read my paragraphs you will find it very challenging to pinpoint and counter anything I have written. I will say this, however, it is my opinion that maybe some of what happened is some people have read what I wrote and then presumed it meant other things about me and my position/ideology -- things I never actually wrote.

KatKonk wrote: ["I am guessing that this posting is by someone in the psych/social work field. But, WOW...did you pick the wrong group of people to lecture about...hmmmm...what was it...oh yeah, humanity! You are going to LECTURE a bunch of nurses about humanity ??!"]

Again, please forgive me if I have appeared to be "lecturing." It was certainly never my intention. But, let's assume I was, then let me ask you this KatKonk ... Why? Why would it be so inconceivable that nurses, as a group, would need such a lecture? Do you know that it was not a nurse or a doctor that revealed to the world the blatant widespread abuse, degradation and humiliation of Iraqi men and boys in Abu Ghraib? Do you know that despite the camp being inundated with medical professionals (nurse, doctors, med techs, etc.) moving about daily for years ... and despite those same people moving about admittedly witnessing the daily forced nudity, degradation, unnecessarily strip searches, humiliations and even, as is now known, the actual physical torture of some individuals, it was not any of them that blew the whistle. It was a lowly MP by the name of Joe Darby. No profession has the humanity market cornered. (that was not a lecture, that is a fact).

Anne128, I owe you a response. I must say, however, I am feeling a little unwelcome here. I refuse to be placed in a defensive posture, and therefore, I'm not entirely certainly I want to lay out my resume for scrutiny as it appears that I clearly have alienated some folks here. What purpose would doing so now serve? Anne128, if I remember correctly, you are thinking about a position as a correctional nurse. Only you will be able to make that decision. However, I have offered my own views on a wide range of universal themes and issues, and I also now again offer some advice -- please ignore it as just a bunch of words strung together, if you feel so inclined. If you choose to become a correctional nurse, likely a lot of what your correctional day will look like will depend on a multitude of variables (the facility, the security level, the shift work, the staff, the top down philosophical view of incarceration/rehabilitation, and the patient - inmate - population, etc.). If you are just looking for a job, you will likely not allow yourself to encounter any life-altering forks in your life's journey. In that case, just go along, just do what you have to do, follow the playbook, and check out at the end of the day and forget about everything until tomorrow. If, however, you are/have becoming/became a nurse for more altruistic reasons, consider the correctional environment as a potential catalyst in your life's journey. I won't say anything else about that.

Tbrd is a middle aged man. He has two daughters and a wife all of whom he loves dearly. He wants the best and most for his children. He is a humanist, a feminist, and an ordinary man with hopes and dreams. He believes in people to ultimately evolve and change. He tends to hover left of center politically, but doesn't really affiliate with any one particular party. He is very well educated and has had an extensive career across multiple fields.

And, yes, not that it really matters, but Tbrd is more than qualified to speak on the correctional environment. His business card would allieviate your fears on that point.

Now, like Orca, I am a bit exhausted. I am also a bit long-winded, and I think that might have something to do with the Mexican food I've been having pretty regularly these past couple of weeks.

If I ever find myself incarcerated in one of your facilities, will you hold it against me that I over-dressed for the beach party?

[tbrd450]

Sorry, I forgot to respond to this:

"Ok in a perfect world but this is not a perfect world and staffing shortages, state cutbacks DO exist! Do you work in nursing? I guess not with a statement like that...welcome to the real world.:rolleyes:"

No. I do not work in nursing. Yes, I live in the real world. Yes, state cutbacks do exist. Believe, I know. But, they should NOT EXIST when their impact is to compromise, or potentially compromise, the fundamental rights of this country's citizens. This, one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Maybe we (as a society in general) need to cut back a little on the over inflated defense budget and start applying some of those funds to actual people. The big bad boogy man is coming for us... we can cut back a little on the military industrial complex earmarks.

I happen to believe the winds of change are coming with regard to correctional systems throughout this country. Society is beginning to get it. There was legislation passed a few years back that sort of illuminates this transition in action -- something about/like rape prevention act ?? I'm sure somebody knows exactly what I am talking about. 7up pulled their commerical making light of prison rape. People have begun to recognize the lunacy of how things have been going. I believe correctional nurses and medical professionals stand to be at the forefront of this change. Society is beginning to wake up and realize that the correctional system isn't, or wasnt', working .. all we seem to do is put more and more people behind bars. Anyway, I digress.

My response to this post is thank you, thank you for welcoming me to the real world.

[Anne128]

So Tbrd, you are not a nurse? You have chosen not to reveal your credentials that give you expertise in the correctional setting. Hummph. I wasn't asking for your name, company, city or for a blood or urine sample. I would think you should feel free to share a general area of practice that qualifies you.. besides being a "humanist". I am genuinely interested in what your general correctional experience is, and how your ideology has worked for you in that setting. Clergy? Social work? I am a bit suspicious that you feel the need to withold that information. No offense, but I can't help but think you are actually a NEW female corrections nurse that thinks she will revolutionize correctional healthcare... I may be wrong..but in all honesty, that is all I hear when I read your posts.

[jjacobsrn]

I would be proud to work with any of the nurses that have responded in this forum. I believe that the "Universal Precautions" approach is honest and appropriate. Universal precautions dictates that you treat all body fluids as if they would be infected, therefore protecting yourself and your other patients. So in corrections, you would be "firm and fair" by considering all inmates/patients as a potential danger.

Practically, as an ER nurse, I treat all my patients this way anyway. If a patient tells me they have Chest Pain, I present a differential diagnosis of any of these possibilities: Myocardial Infarction, Pulm Embolism, Pneumonia, but also Drug Seeker. Does this mean that any of my patients are treated differently? No. All would receive the same tests and medications until symptoms or results of testing ruled out the other potential diagnoses. So, in corrections I would guess the nurse should consider all possibilities including real potential illnesses along with manipulation, etc. Nurses do this all the time and I have faith that these nurses realize who their patients are and also realize they can have real medical problems. The nurse that can see the truly sick person through all the manipulators is the nurse that is best suited for corrections, IMHO.

[tbrd450]

Anne128, you will be starting correctional nursing soon?

Here is a real case. Maybe you have heard of this one. If not, look it up. February 2003: An 18 year old boy, no prior criminal record, is speeding. He is chased by police, he eludes. He is arrested and taken to the Grant County Detention Center in Kentucky. He is strip searched. During the strip search the "deputies" involved begin to taunt and ridicule the boy because he is wearing silk underpants with hearts on them. For purposes of this post here, lets just refer to the "deputies" as Moe, Larry and Curly (if you want their real names you can find them in the case log -- public information). The 125 pound, 18 year old, first offense speeder is taunted and ridiculed because of his appearance for some time. The "deputies" and other staff teased the teenager about his physical appearance and told him that he would make a good "girlfriend" for the other inmates. The three main jailhouse moronic "deputies" (Moe, Larry and Curly) then solicited a group of convicted, dangerous felons housed in one of the serious cells to "teach him a lesson." After eliciting an agreement from the inmates, the "officers" left the teenage in the cell with the dangerous, violent felons. As he was lead to the danger (hell) cell, cheers and whistles were heard by all in the jailhouse as the violent felons awaited his arrival -- staff (noted in the court transcript) beyond just Moe, Larry and Curly hear this. Once dropped delivered, he was repeatedly "sexually assaulted" (translation: RAPED) over several hours. He was punched, kicked and beaten with his own shoes. He was forced to peform oral sex, and he was anally raped repeatedly. Now, keep in mind that leading up to this there were more people than just Moe, Larry and Curly around. There were other staff. For example, there was a female correctional officer who seemed to have some momentary lapse of conciousness because she said to Moe, "that isn't safe for him (putting him in that cell with the felons)." She minimally tried to intervene. Moe didn't want to hear from her. Moe reminded the female correctional officer that he (Moe) was in charge and he "had the stripes!" She backed off. Later, after the boy was thrown to the animals, she "felt sick" and had to go home before her shift ended. She left the jail house. I suspect her concious was bothering her. After hours of the disgusting abuse, one of the dynamic trio (Moe, Larry or Curly) decided he had had enough and then pulled the battered, raped, teenager out of the cell and put him in the detox cell -- where he was supposed to have been taken from the beginning. Fast forward: Next day, dad comes to get the boy, learns what happened (from his son, not from anybody else), insists on pressing charges. Fast Forward: Larry, Moe and Curly try to concoct a story and convince everyone else to go along with it.. that the falsified report is accurate ... that the drain was broken in the detox cell and that is why the boy was taken to the dangerous cell instead. All this comes out in court. Fast Forward: Moe and Larry each get 14 and 15 years respectively for consipiring to deny this boy's civil rights (for setting up his rape!). Curly gets 90 days incarceration for "obstruction of justice." Their union Legal representation stepped up on their behalf. As is often offorded those with a badge who break the law, they were given every benefit of the doubt. The female correctional officer, despite being fully aware that a teenaged, non-violent, 125 pound speeder (a citizen) was being hand delivered by her colleages (Moe, Larry and Curly) to a cell full of animals, went home sick leaving the boy without any hope. I suspect she convinced herself she did all she could do. Ultimately, she received absolutely nothing for doing nothing to prevent this rape -- nothing for doing nothing in way of doing her job. She turned State witness against Moe, Larry and Curly. There were others on site -- maybe a nurse was on duty. Nothing happened to anybody except the three directly and deliberately involved in the rape set up. Even one of those only got 90 days for "obstruction of justice".

What this represents is one clear cut case of indisputable abuse of power. Nobody will deny that. But, there are a thousand or more gradations of things that happen far short of something this egregious all the time in correctional facilities. Much of it flies well below the radar of the media. It takes something pretty darn shocking, provable beyond any shadow of doubt and clearly egregious for prosecutors to even bring about charges (criminal charges) with any hope of success. They know that, and the correctional community knows that. The person wronged, the inmate, better have a handful of body fluids, ten eyewitnesses to back him up, correctly expired all internal grievance procedures (no mistakes allowed), and a few confessions thrown in for good measure before any free society judicial system will begin to entertain his story as truth. What society sees in the newspapers and hears on the newscasts (like the story above) are the tip of the iceburg. 90% of an iceburg lies beneath the ocean!

Anne128, had you been a nurse on duty that night in the jailhouse, heard the exchange going on with the taunting and ridicule, heard the plan to "teach him a lesson," what would you have done? Would you have done anything beyond "documenting?"

[2012RN2b]

Anne128, you will be starting correctional nursing soon?

Here is a real case. Maybe you have heard of this one. If not, look it up. February 2003: An 18 year old boy, no prior criminal record, is speeding. He is chased by police, he eludes. He is arrested and taken to the Grant County Detention Center in Kentucky. He is strip searched. During the strip search the "deputies" involved begin to taunt and ridicule the boy because he is wearing silk underpants with hearts on them. For purposes of this post here, lets just refer to the "deputies" as Moe, Larry and Curly (if you want their real names you can find them in the case log -- public information). The 125 pound, 18 year old, first offense speeder is taunted and ridiculed because of his appearance for some time. The "deputies" and other staff teased the teenager about his physical appearance and told him that he would make a good "girlfriend" for the other inmates. The three main jailhouse moronic "deputies" (Moe, Larry and Curly) then solicited a group of convicted, dangerous felons housed in one of the serious cells to "teach him a lesson." After eliciting an agreement from the inmates, the "officers" left the teenage in the cell with the dangerous, violent felons. As he was lead to the danger (hell) cell, cheers and whistles were heard by all in the jailhouse as the violent felons awaited his arrival -- staff (noted in the court transcript) beyond just Moe, Larry and Curly hear this. Once dropped delivered, he was repeatedly "sexually assaulted" (translation: RAPED) over several hours. He was punched, kicked and beaten with his own shoes. He was forced to peform oral sex, and he was anally raped repeatedly. Now, keep in mind that leading up to this there were more people than just Moe, Larry and Curly around. There were other staff. For example, there was a female correctional officer who seemed to have some momentary lapse of conciousness because she said to Moe, "that isn't safe for him (putting him in that cell with the felons)." She minimally tried to intervene. Moe didn't want to hear from her. Moe reminded the female correctional officer that he (Moe) was in charge and he "had the stripes!" She backed off. Later, after the boy was thrown to the animals, she "felt sick" and had to go home before her shift ended. She left the jail house. I suspect her concious was bothering her. After hours of the disgusting abuse, one of the dynamic trio (Moe, Larry or Curly) decided he had had enough and then pulled the battered, raped, teenager out of the cell and put him in the detox cell -- where he was supposed to have been taken from the beginning. Fast forward: Next day, dad comes to get the boy, learns what happened (from his son, not from anybody else), insists on pressing charges. Fast Forward: Larry, Moe and Curly try to concoct a story and convince everyone else to go along with it.. that the falsified report is accurate ... that the drain was broken in the detox cell and that is why the boy was taken to the dangerous cell instead. All this comes out in court. Fast Forward: Moe and Larry each get 14 and 15 years respectively for consipiring to deny this boy's civil rights (for setting up his rape!). Curly gets 90 days incarceration for "obstruction of justice." Their union Legal representation stepped up on their behalf. As is often offorded those with a badge who break the law, they were given every benefit of the doubt. The female correctional officer, despite being fully aware that a teenaged, non-violent, 125 pound speeder (a citizen) was being hand delivered by her colleages (Moe, Larry and Curly) to a cell full of animals, went home sick leaving the boy without any hope. I suspect she convinced herself she did all she could do. Ultimately, she received absolutely nothing for doing nothing to prevent this rape -- nothing for doing nothing in way of doing her job. She turned State witness against Moe, Larry and Curly. There were others on site -- maybe a nurse was on duty. Nothing happened to anybody except the three directly and deliberately involved in the rape set up. Even one of those only got 90 days for "obstruction of justice".

What this represents is one clear cut case of indisputable abuse of power. Nobody will deny that. But, there are a thousand or more gradations of things that happen far short of something this egregious all the time in correctional facilities. Much of it flies well below the radar of the media. It takes something pretty darn shocking, provable beyond any shadow of doubt and clearly egregious for prosecutors to even bring about charges (criminal charges) with any hope of success. They know that, and the correctional community knows that. The person wronged, the inmate, better have a handful of body fluids, ten eyewitnesses to back him up, correctly expired all internal grievance procedures (no mistakes allowed), and a few confessions thrown in for good measure before any free society judicial system will begin to entertain his story as truth. What society sees in the newspapers and hears on the newscasts (like the story above) are the tip of the iceburg. 90% of an iceburg lies beneath the ocean!

Anne128, had you been a nurse on duty that night in the jailhouse, heard the exchange going on with the taunting and ridicule, heard the plan to "teach him a lesson," what would you have done? Would you have done anything beyond "documenting?"

:confused::confused:

[Anne128]

Anne128, you will be starting correctional nursing soon?

Here is a real case. Maybe you have heard of this one. If not, look it up. February 2003: An 18 year old boy, no prior criminal record, is speeding. He is chased by police, he eludes. He is arrested and taken to the Grant County Detention Center in Kentucky. He is strip searched. During the strip search the "deputies" involved begin to taunt and ridicule the boy because he is wearing silk underpants with hearts on them. For purposes of this post here, lets just refer to the "deputies" as Moe, Larry and Curly (if you want their real names you can find them in the case log -- public information). The 125 pound, 18 year old, first offense speeder is taunted and ridiculed because of his appearance for some time. The "deputies" and other staff teased the teenager about his physical appearance and told him that he would make a good "girlfriend" for the other inmates. The three main jailhouse moronic "deputies" (Moe, Larry and Curly) then solicited a group of convicted, dangerous felons housed in one of the serious cells to "teach him a lesson." After eliciting an agreement from the inmates, the "officers" left the teenage in the cell with the dangerous, violent felons. As he was lead to the danger (hell) cell, cheers and whistles were heard by all in the jailhouse as the violent felons awaited his arrival -- staff (noted in the court transcript) beyond just Moe, Larry and Curly hear this. Once dropped delivered, he was repeatedly "sexually assaulted" (translation: RAPED) over several hours. He was punched, kicked and beaten with his own shoes. He was forced to peform oral sex, and he was anally raped repeatedly. Now, keep in mind that leading up to this there were more people than just Moe, Larry and Curly around. There were other staff. For example, there was a female correctional officer who seemed to have some momentary lapse of conciousness because she said to Moe, "that isn't safe for him (putting him in that cell with the felons)." She minimally tried to intervene. Moe didn't want to hear from her. Moe reminded the female correctional officer that he (Moe) was in charge and he "had the stripes!" She backed off. Later, after the boy was thrown to the animals, she "felt sick" and had to go home before her shift ended. She left the jail house. I suspect her concious was bothering her. After hours of the disgusting abuse, one of the dynamic trio (Moe, Larry or Curly) decided he had had enough and then pulled the battered, raped, teenager out of the cell and put him in the detox cell -- where he was supposed to have been taken from the beginning. Fast forward: Next day, dad comes to get the boy, learns what happened (from his son, not from anybody else), insists on pressing charges. Fast Forward: Larry, Moe and Curly try to concoct a story and convince everyone else to go along with it.. that the falsified report is accurate ... that the drain was broken in the detox cell and that is why the boy was taken to the dangerous cell instead. All this comes out in court. Fast Forward: Moe and Larry each get 14 and 15 years respectively for consipiring to deny this boy's civil rights (for setting up his rape!). Curly gets 90 days incarceration for "obstruction of justice." Their union Legal representation stepped up on their behalf. As is often offorded those with a badge who break the law, they were given every benefit of the doubt. The female correctional officer, despite being fully aware that a teenaged, non-violent, 125 pound speeder (a citizen) was being hand delivered by her colleages (Moe, Larry and Curly) to a cell full of animals, went home sick leaving the boy without any hope. I suspect she convinced herself she did all she could do. Ultimately, she received absolutely nothing for doing nothing to prevent this rape -- nothing for doing nothing in way of doing her job. She turned State witness against Moe, Larry and Curly. There were others on site -- maybe a nurse was on duty. Nothing happened to anybody except the three directly and deliberately involved in the rape set up. Even one of those only got 90 days for "obstruction of justice".

What this represents is one clear cut case of indisputable abuse of power. Nobody will deny that. But, there are a thousand or more gradations of things that happen far short of something this egregious all the time in correctional facilities. Much of it flies well below the radar of the media. It takes something pretty darn shocking, provable beyond any shadow of doubt and clearly egregious for prosecutors to even bring about charges (criminal charges) with any hope of success. They know that, and the correctional community knows that. The person wronged, the inmate, better have a handful of body fluids, ten eyewitnesses to back him up, correctly expired all internal grievance procedures (no mistakes allowed), and a few confessions thrown in for good measure before any free society judicial system will begin to entertain his story as truth. What society sees in the newspapers and hears on the newscasts (like the story above) are the tip of the iceburg. 90% of an iceburg lies beneath the ocean!

Anne128, had you been a nurse on duty that night in the jailhouse, heard the exchange going on with the taunting and ridicule, heard the plan to "teach him a lesson," what would you have done? Would you have done anything beyond "documenting?"

Absolutely not. I would have no fear reporting up until someone in authority responded. While this story is quite heinous and absurd.. you are still taking the fork in the road and are not answering my questions I asked of you. Credentials. Your direct experience in corrections. Thanks in advance.

[tbrd450]

Anne128 ["Absolutely not. I would have no fear reporting up until someone in authority responded. While this story is quite heinous and absurd.. you are still taking the fork in the road and are not answering my questions I asked of you. Credentials. Your direct experience in corrections. Thanks in advance. "]

Let me see if I understood your response beginning: "Absolutely not." Are you saying that you are aware of an impending crime taking place several feet away in the jailhouse -- a rape set up, and a an actual subsequent assault, rape and brutalization... and I asked would you do anything beyond "documenting?" ... your reply is

"Absolutely not" Are you serious? Did you misunderstand the question?

You, as correctional nurse, a medical care provider, a decent human being, most definitely have an obligation to do more than "document." You have an obligation to call the State Police and report a rape in progress! An 18 year old boy is being raped in one of the cells of the jail house -- the very building you are working in. You, as the jail house nurse, are sitting at your station. You simply document?!? That's not what you are really saying, right?

[tbrd450]

Anne128: ["While this story is quite heinous and absurd"]

What in the world does that mean? Absurd ?? This actually happened. This is the "real world." What is absurd about it? I wonder what the 18 year old boy would think of your assessment of his story -- it's absurd ?? Tell him that.

[tbrd450]

OMG! where am I?