Staffing ratio in county jails

Specialties Correctional

Published

What are your staff to inmate ratios in county jails? Is it usual to have one RN for 120-140 inmates? Seems like at least 2 would be needed. My DON is saying she wants 16 hours covered 7am to 11pm 7 days a week. Currently nurses have been working 12 hrs. with 4 hours on call. They have been able to work this and cover for themselves in regards to holidays, vacations, sick time, etc. I was just wondering what other facilities have for staff?

thanks

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Specializes in US Army.

We did 1 RN and 2 LPNs for 1200 inmates.

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I work in a county jail. We have approx. 600-700 inmates at any given time. Usually we have 2 nurses in the clinic and 1 to 2 in booking/intake. It can be crazy. You have 600-700 potential problems at any given time. I know that today's shift, literally today, there is only 1 nurse in the clinic due to a call off. But I'm working tonight and can't do a 24 hours shift.

I find staffing dangerous in the jail setting, they have tried to improve on it, but with cutbacks and the economy, I don't see it improving anytime soon.

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Thank you Birdy Oh...I am new to corrections and forget that these inmates are not supposed to be sick

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Specializes in Addictions, Corrections, QA/Education.
I work in a county jail. We have approx. 600-700 inmates at any given time. Usually we have 2 nurses in the clinic and 1 to 2 in booking/intake. It can be crazy. You have 600-700 potential problems at any given time. I know that today's shift, literally today, there is only 1 nurse in the clinic due to a call off. But I'm working tonight and can't do a 24 hours shift.

I find staffing dangerous in the jail setting, they have tried to improve on it, but with cutbacks and the economy, I don't see it improving anytime soon.

Our jail is the size of yours. I am jealous over you having 1 to 2 booking nurses! We have between 600-700 inmates and we have a small "medical" area...

Monday we have 2 nurses on 7-3. 2 nurses on 3-11 and 1 nurse on 11-7a - No doctor or PA clinic during the day, just nurse sick call.

Tuesday we have 3 nurses 7-3. We have a PA clinic in the afternoon that starts at 1pm. Same staffing for other shifts.

Wednesday we have 3 nurses 7-3 and a PA clinic all day.

Thursday we have 3 nurses 7-3 and Doctor at 1pm

Friday we 3 nurses with PA clinic 8a to 12p.

We do nurse sick call everyday. We have a treatment book that we check to see if there are any BP checks or dressing changes... etc. Somedays its SO heavy.

We usually do not get to booking during the day because they are out to court until 1p - 2p. It usually falls on 3-11 shift. They hate it and I would too... what do you do?

THEN you have your "all availables" and emergencies. It can be very busy and I tend to feel burned out a lot lately.

Again... I WISH we had booking nurses. That would be so awesome!

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