Roles Different Stakeholders Play In Ensuring the Health Care of Inmates in Correction Facilities - Term Paper Example

The Department of Corrections The plight of health care conditions of inmates in correction facilities across the United States has been in a sorry state due to mismanagement, which in most cases results from embezzlement of funds meant to cater for this program; thus, putting the lives of the inmates at risk (Sheehan, 2006). Inmates just like any other citizens have a right to access better healthcare services even though their freedom of movement is constrained within the correction facility premises. Therefore, since facilities are often congested with inmates serving for various crimes they have committed across the nation, the prisons provide a ground for the spread of communicable diseases and other new infections (Greifinger and Goldenson, 2007). Notwithstanding the several stakeholders responsible for ensuring the health of inmates is safeguarded; poor policy formulation has contributed and hindered the realization of these goals; thus, leading to the sorry state of prison facilities within the U.S. (Sheehan, 2006). However, efforts by stakeholders in the recent past have seen the conditions improve because elaborate policies have been enacted to ensure all inmates have access to affordable health care as well as ensuring their general health care is protected at all times (Greifinger and Goldenson, 2007). Internal stakeholders The internal stakeholders in the management of correction facilities include the government through the departments of correction, human health, the management of correction facilities and the inmates themselves. The four entities form the interested parties as far as inmate health care is concerned. Just like any other government agency, the department of correction receives millions of dollars in terms of budgetary allocation from the federal and county governments to run its affairs. Thus, since most of the correction facilities are run by governments, it is the duty of the authorities in charge to ensure convicted inmates have an ample time of recovering and changing to better citizens while within the facilities. Therefore, the facilities have an obligation to provide holistic services to their clients by not violating their rights to access better health care by ensuring they provide the very best care to enhance their process of behavioral reconstruction (Gardner, 2009). In that right, the department of correction has hired in-house medical practitioners responsible for attending to inmate health care issues arising within the premises of the correction facilities. Moreover, these medical practitioners operate through 24 hour run clinics located within facilities. Therefore, inmates have an obligation to seek medical attention once they discover any signs of ill health in the earliest time possible to avoid further deterioration in the case of communicable disease (Gardner, 2009). Conversely, the department of correction has a policy stipulating that in event the health of an inmate deteriorates to levels beyond the capacity of the in-house medical teams, the patient should be transferred to another external health care facility for specialized treatment; irrespective of the fact that they do not have the freedom of movement to ensure their wellbeing is guaranteed while at the correction facility (Sheehan, 2006). That notwithstanding, the department of correction in conjunction with the department of human health collaborate to screen inmates before they are booked to the facilities to determine their health condition so that any case of ill health is attended to promptly to avoid epidemics in the correction facilities (Møller and World Health Organization, 2007). Therefore, it is imperative that inmates are screened for any communicable disease before they are booked into the facilities to avoid a widespread of communicable diseases, which may cause mass calamity because of congestion within the facilities (Gardner, 2009). Notwithstanding preventive measures have been instituted to have inmates diagnosed with communicable diseases, secluded from the rest by being isolated in separate special rooms where they receive medical attention until they fully recover before being allowed to associate with the rest. These measures are not punitive but are meant for the benefit of the entire inmate population (Greifinger and Goldenson, 2007). Moreover, prison warders as part of the management of correction facilities conduct routine health checks on inmates to detect any form of ill health arising within the correction facilities before the situation worsens of by ensuring the inmates receive medical attention the earliest possible (Gardner, 2009). However, it is imperative to note that some inmates indulge in wrong vices such as drug abuse and homosexuality that jeopardizes their health while within the correction facilities. Therefore, management of facilities through wardens have initiated counselling sessions through which inmates interact with warders for counselling, especially for those suffering from hidden health conditions that they are unwilling to talk about or seek medical attention. In addition, substance abuse is rife in correction facilities; the bit of sharing syringes for injecting drugs puts the health of those indulging in the practice in danger (Sheehan, 2006). Therefore, because of this correction facility management is on the path to enacting reforms in the sector to seal all loopholes facilitating the entry of contraband goods into correction facilities such as illegal drugs (Greifinger and Goldenson, 2007). External stakeholders Human rights organizations and the society forms part of the external stakeholders as far as the health care of inmates in concerned. Rights groups have engaged in activities of sensitization where they hold health camps and seminars in correction facilities to enlighten the inmates on the importance of health care within the premises of the facilities, in addition to, offering them counselling on social issues such as drug abuse and homosexuality (Sheehan, 2006). The efforts by these groups have significantly impacted on the general health of the inmates as they been able to understand the danger that looms if they engage in certain activities that only serve to put their lives in danger. Furthermore, these groups offer donation to correction facilities in terms of drugs, sanitary towels and health care based literature to enhance the health conditions of those correction facilities (Sheehan, 2006). The general society is yet another stakeholder that contributes to the well-being of inmates in correction facilities. It is prudent to note that philanthropists existing within the society have dedicated their time and resources to make routine visits to these facilities to have time with the inmates by supporting and encouraging them emotionally as well as donating foodstuffs and drugs to enhance their health (Sheehan, 2006). For instance, the emotional support that they provide to the inmates, is essential as it provides a sense of worth and belonging in the society; thus, reducing depression and anxiety within the inmates (Møller and World Health Organization, 2007). Conclusion It is prudent to note that indeed different stakeholders play major roles in ensuring the health care of inmates in correction facilities is enhanced positively, by devoting their time and resources to this noble course. It is worth noting that stakeholders both internal and external through their efforts have managed to influence the health care of inmates positively across correction facilities in the entire country. Therefore, it is evident that the government alone through its departments cannot actualize this objective but through collective efforts and partnerships with other stakeholders the objective of providing better health care to inmates in correction facilities can be realized. Thus, stakeholders need to be supported as they venture into this noble course to ensure high standards of healthcare in correction facilities across the nation. References Gardner, A. (2009). Many in U.S. Prisons Lack Good Health Care. Retrieved from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/managing-your-healthcare/articles/2009/01/16/many-in-us-prisons-lack-good-health-care Greifinger, R. B., Bick, J. A., & Goldenson, J. (2007). Public health behind bars: From prisons to communities. Dobbs Ferry, N.Y: Springer. Møller, L., & World Health Organization. (2007). Health in prisons: A WHO guide to the essentials in prison health. Copenhagen, Denmark: World Health Organization Europe. Sheehan, P. (2006). Philanthropic Opportunities in Correctional Health Care. Read More