what do you do when you realize you know an inmate?

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Specializes in med/surg oncology.

In my naivety I began corresponding with an inmate that I was introduced to by a fellow coworker. It was in 1991 when I was 19 and it only lasted 6 months during a rebelious period. I didn't have any contact with him after he was released and since then I've graduated from nursing school, gotten married and have 2 children. I recently started at the local prison complex and find that he is a repeat offender and in the facility where I work.

How do I handle this so a story doesn't develop that gets twisted out of context??? Any advice?

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The best policy is to be totally honest. Tell your supervisor everything. It is very important to tell your boss everything now before the inmate starts "spreading his stories." Good luck.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Totally agree with the above advice.

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Yes, report everything immediately. It isn’t your fault the inmate is there, but they may pressure you for illegal actions “I need cigarettes, or the guys in the pod will kill me…”

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Tell the Watch Commander and Supervisor STAT!! In our prison if we know em, they gotta go. Prevents being "conned" by those you know in green.

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Specializes in med/surg oncology.

Thanks for the advice.- I did go speak with the Security Chief today in person. He pulled up the inmates picture for me so I could verify it was indeed him. However it has been several years and he had gained weight. They crossed referenced some other kinds of data I knew about him and it was indeed the person I thought. I was asked to put this information in writing for the record. I was instructed to notify custody if I was ever approached by him or any other inmates for any "favors".

The Security Chief saw me right away after I made a call to his office. He personally walked me down to the control office and had the needed information provided to me to make an identification without having to actually encounter the inmate. The chief was more than professional and I feel 100% better that I brought it out in the open. The book I just finished reading also helped give me the needed knowledge and confidence to help me adjust to my new surroundings in the prison.

Thanks for your words of wisdom. I appreciate it.

:nurse:

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Thanks for the advice.- I did go speak with the Security Chief today in person. He pulled up the inmates picture for me so I could verify it was indeed him. However it has been several years and he had gained weight. They crossed referenced some other kinds of data I knew about him and it was indeed the person I thought. I was asked to put this information in writing for the record. I was instructed to notify custody if I was ever approached by him or any other inmates for any "favors".

The Security Chief saw me right away after I made a call to his office. He personally walked me down to the control office and had the needed information provided to me to make an identification without having to actually encounter the inmate. The chief was more than professional and I feel 100% better that I brought it out in the open. The book I just finished reading also helped give me the needed knowledge and confidence to help me adjust to my new surroundings in the prison.

Thanks for your words of wisdom. I appreciate it.

:nurse:

I know in our system, you are to report if you know an

inmate that may be housed at your facilty, prior to

incarceration. That did not mean they would move the

inmate, but it would be on record JUST in case something

ever came up.

I live in a very small, Mayberry type town and

if every inmate was transferred that I had known over the

years, they would definitely have to build new prisons. :D

Many of them were guys who had worked for my husband's

landscape business!!

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Deffinately go to your supervisor and let them know what is going on. If the inmate is not removed then you must treat him as if he was just another inmate. But remember always have someone with you if you feel threatened.

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I'm glad everything worked out well!

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In my facility, I would definitely report it to my supervisor immediately.

I also report to her released inmates that I encounter on the outs... as per policy. :)

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