When Your Patient is a Prisoner

Course overview

Correctional nurses need to have an understanding of the patient and what they have been through in order to practice effectively in the criminal justice system. Patients who are also prisoners have a unique set of characteristics and history that can affect their health and how they interact with healthcare providers. In addition, patients in the criminal justice system are managed by correctional officers who also have a culture and perspective that must be considered when advocating for safe and effective healthcare. This course explores the elements of the criminal mind that may affect the nurse-patient relationship and the nursing perspective that will result in an effective and fulfilling nursing practice in the criminal justice system. Attention is also given to key components of the power differential within the criminal justice system that affect patient advocacy and care delivery. While this course mainly focuses on nursing practice in the criminal justice system, the information is helpful for nurses in all practice settings who come into contact with prisoner patients.