So, what's all this talk abou manipulation?

MadisonsMomRN, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2008

You have to realize that inmates sit in a cell all day and have nothing to do but think. Some think of ways out of the cell and medical is usually a good way to do it. Some just like to do things for the fun of it. They will cry wolf a lot. They manipulate some nurses into bringing things in for them, like cigarettes etc. Some manipulate them into writing them, bringing pictures of them in etc. Some may want things that they are not just not allowed to have and they have ways of talking you into it... you must remain professional and not do this.

Oh let me count the ways. :) Its an interesting field of nursing that is for sure!

nursedudeforchrist · Oct 18, 2008

Oh, okay. Thanks! That makes a lot of sense.

MadisonsMomRN, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2008

Your welcome!

They come up with some crazy stuff... I never in a million years would have thought that I would work in corrections. Turns out, I like it!

ifyouwereme · Oct 26, 2008

So I'm a new grad and I have been thinking about corrections, but of course I am a little afraid. Okay, a lot. I completed some short quiz online and will wait for my NCLEX results before I can progress, from what I understand, but that little quiz cannot be all that's to it. When do I hear back and how much paperwork? I got a 95% which I suspect everyone gets, so is there some tremendous waiting list? I am an asian female, a little small. Will that decrease my chances? Just curious.

What about all female prisons. I suspect they are probably worse.

MadisonsMomRN, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2008

So I'm a new grad and I have been thinking about corrections, but of course I am a little afraid. Okay, a lot. I completed some short quiz online and will wait for my NCLEX results before I can progress, from what I understand, but that little quiz cannot be all that's to it. When do I hear back and how much paperwork? I got a 95% which I suspect everyone gets, so is there some tremendous waiting list? I am an asian female, a little small. Will that decrease my chances? Just curious.
What about all female prisons. I suspect they are probably worse.

I am not sure what the quiz is. I don't know how much paperwork as it depends on the institution. I am sure its a lot though.

I work at an all men's state prison and there is a lot manipulation. I also work at a county detention center with women too and OY can they be manipulating and down right nasty sometimes. I could not work at an all female prison. That is me though. :nurse:

Your size should not have anything to do with you getting a job in corrections. You do have drug testing and a background check but that is almost everywhere.

Good luck to you... and on your NCLEX!

PalmoRN · Oct 29, 2008

Being small as a nurse is different than being a C.O....

I am 4'7"...and have 10 yrs of Corrections behind me...this includes 3 different states...county and state prisons...

The drill is the same...they will try to manipulate you no matter who you are...just remember to keep your professionalism and you'll be fine...the height won't be an issue...

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Nov 2, 2008

What about all female prisons. I suspect they are probably worse.

I am a DON at a female correctional facility. Before that I worked as line staff and as a charge nurse at a male prison. The primary difference I see is that females are more likely to seek medical care, and seek it earlier, than their male counterparts. Their manipulation is also more subtle a lot of the time. They seem to file more grievances per capita, which can be a minor annoyance. Our infirmary has less action for serious incidents than the male facilities do. We have occasional fights, but not the stabbings and other serious assaults you see in male prisons.

The drill is the same...they will try to manipulate you no matter who you are...just remember to keep your professionalism and you'll be fine...the height won't be an issue...

This is absolutely true. About 95 percent of prison nursing is how you conduct yourself. Show that you will deliver good care but will not do special favors, and you will be respected. Show that you can be manipulated and you will become the inmates' play toy. In supervising prison nursing staff, one warning flag I look for is when several inmates request to see a specific nurse who has not been on staff for very long. Odds are that nurse is giving them something the other nurses won't. Maybe it is something as simple as a pain pack, which the inmate has been told that she has exceeded the monthly limit for. In other cases the nurse may be ignoring standard policy just to expedite something for the inmate. In any case it bears investigation.

oramar · Nov 3, 2008

I am not sure what the quiz is. I don't know how much paperwork as it depends on the institution. I am sure its a lot though.
I work at an all men's state prison and there is a lot manipulation. I also work at a county detention center with women too and OY can they be manipulating and down right nasty sometimes. I could not work at an all female prison. That is me though.
Your size should not have anything to do with you getting a job in corrections. You do have drug testing and a background check but that is almost everywhere.
Good luck to you... and on your NCLEX!

I used to work agency at a unit that handled outpatient healthcare for inmates. The men were criminals but the women were insane. I mean every single one of the females inmates were candidates for inpatient psych units. However, only a small portion of the males seemed crazy.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Nov 3, 2008

I mean every single one of the females inmates were candidates for inpatient psych units.

I can't say that our situation is that extreme, but it seems that a higher percentage of females are taking psychiatric medication.

Rawenea · Oct 23, 2011

I work in a all male corrections facility a prison for up to 1200 male inmates, I agree with the comments. These inmates have 24hrs a day to think of what they want to do for fun and how they can be accepted in prison with other inmates, its all about statis in prison. I know that with the female inmates manipulation takes on a whole new meaning, must be related to the ability to multi-task, where as with male inmates i find them easier to handle.

Rob72, ASN, RN · Oct 26, 2011

I'm still a little "wet behind the ears" so forgive me for asking a silly question. I have been reading threads here in this section, and I was wondering how the inmates tend to be so manipulating; that is said here a lot. What do they do? And why do you think they tend to do this? I find this interesting. I'm considering doing correctional nursing one day.

Based on your username, I'm going to say its like having a personal relationship with Christ- if you don't have it, its kinda hard to understand.

Intellectually, here are a few good reads:

http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Criminal-Mind-Revised-Updated/dp/140004619X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319636658&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Myth-Out-Character-Crime/dp/1453632913/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319636658&sr=1-2

Samenow is a rather "unpopular" criminal psychologist because he holds to the concept of personal responsibility- criminals are criminals because they choose to be, not because society. "defines them by criminalizing their behaviors."

http://www.amazon.com/Rage-Random-Actor-Dan-Korem/dp/0963910353/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319636812&sr=1-1

Korem has a good take on dealing with those having limited impulse control, minimal social support and variant decision-making processes.

http://www.amazon.com/Predictably-Irrational-Revised-Expanded-Decisions/dp/0061353248/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319636888&sr=1-1

Cons are gratification-motivated, so the psychology of economics gives significant insight into their thinking. Ariely is a fun, easy to read author.

There is substantial truth in the statement, "if their lips are moving, they're lying to you.." If you begin to understand why they are lying/manipulating, you'll be safer, and you may be able to nurture some self-reflection in your population. Not that I would hold my breath, but a person who stands for something, and has insight will be respected, even if they don't necessarily "like" you.

Edit: Geez, from '08?!? Archive tools are nice...