Violence in Prison? Are they common?

JDCitizen · Jan 4, 2009

Verbally abusive = Almost daily basis

Physically abusive = Has happened to a few times to colleagues but it's rare.

Actually the response can vary from prison to prison:

One case I caught an inmate in my office reported it and nothing happened.

Another prison an inmate: raised his voice and hit the exam table and about 15 officers were there in less than 3 minutes...

deyo321 · Jan 4, 2009

I experienced more violence in LTC with dementia patients and rude families. Where I am I am not expected to take any crap, nor allowed to. I always have an officer present and they will end any interaction instantly on my nod. There is no "customer service" ethos in jail. If you can't behave you are out of my office until such time that you have control of yourself. When responding to a code I am not allowed on the scene until it is secured by safety. So while I have certainly seen the results of violent actions (fights..oops there are no fights it's always "I fell out of my bunk", self cutting, etc.) I have never felt threatened. There have been many posts that you will be safer in this controlled environment than in an unsecured ER with rent-a-cops.

BradyR · Jan 4, 2009

Violence in prisons definetly depends on the facility....maximum security facilities have more, first of all because the inmates have less to lose...a lot of them are lifers, a lot of them are there because they have long history of violent behaviors, with little if any remorse for their crimes....thus, mimimum security facilities have a lot less because they are there for parole violations, non-violent crimes etc...and some are getting ready to go home...so they do not want to jeopardize that....plus it depends on the way the inmates are handled by administration and the security staff....I have been very fortunate to work in facilities where the security staff is excellent, (max,med and minimum facilities)...The one good thing about working in a max, from the perspective of a nurse, is that you are able to maintain your ER skills, because of the stabbings, trauma etc....so if you are looking to do that, then a minimum facility would not be for you....

aknurs · Jan 24, 2009

You could & probably will be called nasty names, shown body parts when you don't want to see them. Taking care of inmates who have gotten into fights. Inmates who kill their cell mates (only two of this senereo in the last 10 years at my facility). You are working with some people who have committed violent crimes, most of the time ,they do not change. The Correctional Officers usually get the worst end of things occasional thank goodness(ie: Urine & feces thrown on them, head butting from the inmate, etc) But as a medical person, you will see a lot.

Bottom line, they are incarcerated because they do not play well with others. Some change, most will not.

I have to agree with BradyR..you do get to keep up with your nursing skills, as far as trauma & assesment & quick decision making goes. I loooooove it!

BirdyOh · Feb 8, 2009

I work in a jail/max security facility. I'm safer in the jail than I am driving TO it! Like another poster said, you can get called names, be shown body parts, also get marriage proposals. One threatened to rape me when he got out. Just throw those comments away when you get them. These fellas have nothing but time on their hands, so that means time to 'think' up statements and behavior to get attention. Dont' give it to them when they act that way. Don't show them it bothers you, if it does bother you.

I love my job. After many years in the hospitals, the last 7 years alone in Oncology, I have finally found my niche. I'm even safer at the jail than in the hospital. Will have to say that the abuse you get from 'fluff my pillow' pts in a hospital is worse than what you get in jail. At least in jail, you can tell the pt. "no."

Know how you've always had that one pt in a hospital that was nasty, drove you nuts, you wanted to strangle? Or told your manager what a horrible, hateful nurse you are, but you aren't? You don't have to put up with that in the jails. These guys get out of line at all, the officers are right there and in a split second will say, "Ok, the nurse is done with you!"

Jarnaes · Feb 8, 2009

There is a lot of potential for violence, but fortunately very little of it materializes against the medical staff. Just be aware of your surroundings.

Also keep in mind that if you work at the local county jail, you will have to interact with some of those inmates again out in the community. You'll see them at the store, at the mall, at the gas station, at the local auto shop, or just pan-handling on the corner. Some will even recognize you and speak to you. And yes, you'll know your city's homeless crew by name...lol.

A more worrisome example is: I ordered pizza at home, and guess who delivered it...? One of "my guys" from the jail...

So, this is why I prefer to work in the state prison system, less chance to meet anyone on your turf.

BradyR · Feb 9, 2009

I work in a jail/max security facility. I'm safer in the jail than I am driving TO it! Like another poster said, you can get called names, be shown body parts, also get marriage proposals. One threatened to rape me when he got out. Just throw those comments away when you get them. These fellas have nothing but time on their hands, so that means time to 'think' up statements and behavior to get attention. Dont' give it to them when they act that way. Don't show them it bothers you, if it does bother you.
I love my job. After many years in the hospitals, the last 7 years alone in Oncology, I have finally found my niche. I'm even safer at the jail than in the hospital. Will have to say that the abuse you get from 'fluff my pillow' pts in a hospital is worse than what you get in jail. At least in jail, you can tell the pt. "no."
Know how you've always had that one pt in a hospital that was nasty, drove you nuts, you wanted to strangle? Or told your manager what a horrible, hateful nurse you are, but you aren't? You don't have to put up with that in the jails. These guys get out of line at all, the officers are right there and in a split second will say, "Ok, the nurse is done with you!"

I cannot believe that you mentioned that if an inmate says something disrespectful to you ..."don't show them that it bothers you"....how about writing them up, and have them sent to SHU!!! No inmate no matter what the behavior is,an inmate should not be allowed to say or do anything that is inappropriate ....bottom line....they should show nothing but respect whether it be for you as a person, or your position....there should be consequences for their behavior...this way if they learn that....maybe they won't come back....think about "games inmates play"..you not saying anything can be perceived as though you you like it!!! (what they saud or did)...being complacent is one of the worst things a person can do when working in a jail, no matter how "nice" the inmate is.......Just think about it!! I am not saying to be a hard ass (excuse my french) but respect is something that is a very valuable tool when working in a jail...especially considering that at times an inmate has to bare his genitals etc......I can't stress it enough.....

RN1982 · Feb 17, 2009

I don't see a problem with the statement about not letting the inmates know that their remarks bother you. I think the more you let on that something bothers you, the more the person will do or say something to you. It's better to just ignore the inmate when they make nasty comments than it is to respond. Just write them up. The more you respond back, the more you play their game. They want to see you mad or hurt. It's better to NOT show them those emotions.

BradyR · Feb 26, 2009

I guess "not letting an i/m show it bothers you", still doesn't sit right with me....if an i/m is inappropriate or disrespectful, then there should be a consequence...whether it be, loss of commissary, money taken from his account or whatever....no staff person, should have to tolerate "abuse" from an i/m...that abuse could be verbal, or non-verbal....I guess having worked in a maxi-max jail, instilled this in me....and now that I am in a minimum security facility, I still expect the same from the inmates---and that is respect..at all times...no matter what the situation is....

cheshielynx · Feb 27, 2009

I worry more about getting sued by an inmate.....