SNY

Eirene, ASN, RN · Dec 26, 2009

Don't be afraid to say "no".

Tell them to pull up their pants if you can see their boxers.

Tell them to get their hands out of their pants.

Be prepared to explain to them about their meds. Sometimes they'll refuse them. Explain to them that the drugs are important. A lot of times you can get them to take them if you just take a minute to explain how important they are. There is nothing wrong in telling them that you care about their mental health (after you've been there for a while).

Don't take their sexual harrassment or staredowns. The power of the pen is an amazing thing in prison. They hate tickets.

jaxnsanjose · Dec 26, 2009

Thanks! and yes I learned that they hate getting written up, I also learned that giving them a 128 first and then a 115 for the same offense gives them 3 more months on their time if I am really having a real problem with any of them. I am a fair person but I know I need to put it across first thing that I won't take any crap from them either.

katkonk, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2009

I am curious, since I always see the term "yard" used by the CA nurses. When you work in the "yard", I assume that there is a brick and mortar building of some sort that you work out of, with a temperature controlled environment? And how big is the building/facility in the yard? I know this likely seems like a naive question, but we have no such "yard" assignments here. We have the clinic/infirmary which encompasses everything. Curious as to the "yard's" physical set up? How does that work?

katkonk, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2009

I just got my post assignment for my first LVN job in corrections. When I finally finish my training rotation, I will be working PCP line in our Special Needs Yard. Anybody have any tips on dealing with SNY inmates or anything from your experience that may be helpful for me to keep in mind?

And....congratulations! How do you like corrections so far?

jaxnsanjose · Jan 1, 2010

Katkonk, we don't use the term yard unless we are referring to the inmates being out in the yard at our facility. We call our medical units medical or TTA but mainly we call them by location. We have 3 almost separate facilities, North which is SNY, Central which has most of our lifers and South is our level 1 guys.

And thank you, so far I like it, its interesting for sure but not hard work. The inmates are pretty sly tho, especially when then find out I am new but I am holding my ground with them and once they realize they aren't gonna talk me into anything extra, they chill out.

travduck, BSN, RN, CNM · Jan 2, 2010

Katkonk, yard where I work has multiple meanings - the physical yard, the state of being on the physical yard, and the group of inmates who are or will inhabit a specific physical yard.

Jax -SNY's are so designated often because of their offenses, their status prior to offense, or their action post imprisonment which puts them at risk for "retaliation" from other inmates. Many of them are well schooled in manipulation and often "play" their status. Drop by and see me in Central some time.

Do not let them get over on you, even once. Set limits and NEVER haphazardly back down from your stated limits. Stick to the documented truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth in all your dealings. Utilize your clinic C.O.'s and if you even suspect that you will have problems ask for a standby.