A to Z of prison nursing

Prison nursing can often be challenging, but understanding what staff face on a daily basis could pave the way for safety improvements.
A cceptance a basic need, whether it's being reconciled with a girlfriend or finding a role in your tribe.
B eds top or lower bunk, they're still old metal standard length and width, and don't help back problems.
C ooking in a kettle a cookbook many a prisoner could write.
D entist in demand following neglect and assault.
E ducation missed through undiagnosed ADHD, dyslexia, abuse, trauma or life in transit.
F aith, family, food whatever stops despair.
G ames pool, dominoes, football, provide occasional healthy distraction and interaction.
H ours - (For staff) good: 8am-6:30pm. I ndividuals some
...Prison nursing can often be challenging, but understanding what staff face on a daily basis could pave the way for safety improvements.

Acceptance – a basic need, whether it's being reconciled with a girlfriend or finding a role in your tribe.
Beds – top or lower bunk, they're still old metal standard length and width, and don't help back problems.
Cooking in a kettle – a cookbook many a prisoner could write.
Dentist – in demand following neglect and assault.
Education – missed through undiagnosed ADHD, dyslexia, abuse, trauma or life in transit.
Faith, family, food – whatever stops despair.
Games – pool, dominoes, football, provide occasional healthy distraction and interaction.
Hours - (For staff) good: 8am-6:30pm.
Individuals – some adapt well, others cope by obsessive compulsive behaviour or seek oblivion via drugs. Some get skills, get fit, get out and get a new life. But there are infinite variations and we can never assume.
Job, accommodation and community ties – the three main factors affecting whether someone returns to prison.
Keys – lock me up along with the patients.
Laughter – ‘It's one thing they can't take away from me, and they've really tried, Miss,’ says an inmate. Justice system trumps healthcare. Nursing is over-ridden by any security issues.
Methadone – Daily dosing a clientele with many a tale to tell.
Night-time – there aren’t any nurses available.
Optician – the list is long.
Podiatry – the list is longer still.
Quiet – around 12:30pm lunchtime when the prison roll is checked and correct and all are 'banged up'.
Release date – patients long for and dread in equal measure.
Suicide – we may have to explain our nursing practice in a coroner's court.
Telehealth – for specialists to diagnose remotely and advise the GP, saving on escorting to hospital.
Unjust – patients are quick to spot unfairness in their sentence, their medical treatment, their cell conditions, the prison regime or other inmates, and to threaten to sue, self-harm or 'kick off'.
Vulnerable – as much the victim as the bully; many were abused or 'looked after' or acquired addictions and lacked positive role models.
Wages – £4-£10 a week. For work in the kitchen, cleaning the wing or attending a horticulture course.
X-rays – of fists that have hit walls, fracturing their own knuckles in frustration.
Yoga – We're all doing time: A guide for getting free, by Bo Lozoff. Provided free to anyone in prison by The Prison Phoenix Trust, Oxford.
Zzzzzz – A confined space, old bunk bed, too hot, too cold, locked in from 6pm, away from the familiar with fear, sadness and a snoring cell-mate doesn't make for a calm night's sleep.
About the author
Rebecca Thackray is a prison nurse at HMP Brixton
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