Incarceration Ethical Issues

Incarceration is synonymous with loss. In an environment centered around punishment, the women who enter are stripped of their possessions, privileges, and sense of self. The ensuing vulnerability breeds a culture of mistrust and hardened facades that make it nearly impossible for nurses to infiltrate. Many of these individuals have experienced a pattern of abuse which has left them scarred both physically and emotionally. Upon incarceration, they step into a world of unknowns where they become disoriented and unable to cope with the unfamiliarity of their surroundings. Inmates have no choice but to acculturate, for fear of being stripped of the few privileges that remain (Christensen, 2014). This disconnect is but one of the many challenges

Many believe that women who break the law do not deserve the same level of care as people who are compliant with society’s rules. This disparity in value leads to lack of funding, inadequate supplies, and understaffed facilities (Christensen, 2014). Interpersonal relationships are an essential component of nursing. Policies often prohibit nurses from engaging in behaviors typically associated with caring, such as hugging or other forms of touch. This makes it difficult for nurses to create therapeutic relationships with their patients (Christensen, 2014). The nurses often face “ethical dilemmas” as they attempt to adhere to the ideals of the nursing practice, while maintaining the unattached, authoritative behavior that is expected of them (Maeve & Vaughn, 2001). They must learn to discard their preconceived notions about their criminal patients, and instead only see them as individuals in need (Christensen,

Conversely, it is the role of a nurse to disintegrate the tough exterior of these women and begin to form a human bond centered on mutual respect. If a nurse takes an interest in learning the details of an inmate’s life that led to their incarceration, they will no longer see their patient as part of the prison culture, but instead as their own unique cultural being. Only then, will the nurse be able to establish a care plan that will promote the best possible outcome. This same principle can be utilized outside of the context of the prison. If I am able to establish a rapport with my patients and learn details of their life rather than just the circumstances that led to illness/injury, I might learn information that is imperative to take into account when establishing a treatment