Strip searches?

A New Start · Oct 18, 2009

I don't know if this is relevant to your question, but here goes. I'm not out of school yet. Just considering this specialty myself.

A family member of mine is an officer in charge of a county detention center. The family member works midnights and the facility handles intakes from all agencies in the area. They use 7 nurses in the jail across 3 shifts.

My family member recently reported of a young man being strip searched resulting in a finding of contraband on his person. (search done by the corrections officer) The contraband was a member pin originating at the opening of the urethra, and exiting posterior and inferior of the glans. The screw on the ball at the exit end of the metal pin couldn't be removed by the inmate. Of course, the pin had to go and the man had to stay.

Nurse called. The use of pliers and wire cutters helped in no way. The pin was stainless steel. ENTER, the 36" bolt cutters!.................... Upon seeing the bolt cutter, the inmate protested. With the cooperation of ALL AVAILABLE STAFF, the pin was cut at the base of the entrance resulting in no physical injury of the inmate. When it became apparent that the pin was going to come out, the inmate became a picture of compliance. He walked in like this . He walked to his cell like this :yeah: .

In regards to earlier comments. I like what one person said, "We deal with the aftermath." People get hurt on both sides and need calm competent brave assistance. Think of battlefield nurses who treat the injuries of captured enemy. Mental health nurses rarely see good outcomes. Hospice nurses bury their successes.

My family member loves and appreciates the nurses at the facility. They do occasionally have conflict when the nurses make command decisions that could impact facility safety. They sometimes forget they are support staff. They lose that fight every time, and they need to.

Like all nursing environments, ethical and legal dilemmas abound. I'm not sure yet if it's my gig or not. I just thank God there are people who will step up to help the needy in all types of settings.

stephied · Oct 19, 2009

Thanks A New Start, I have see a few unusual metal objects in various places in my career as an OR nurse. I've also seen grown men and women cringe and cry at the sight of a needle but they have tattoos on their body. Go figure!!!