NCJ Number
12803
Date Published
1973
Length
185 pages
Annotation
CONSULTANT'S STUDY OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY JAIL, BASED ON LITERATURE RESEARCH, PERSONAL OBSERVATION, AND INTERVIEWS WITH INMATES AND STAFF.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR'S RESEARCH INCLUDED 40 HOURS OF ON-SITE OBSERVATION, REVIEW OF INMATES' HEALTH RECORD CARDS, AND INTERVIEWS WITH INMATES, SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES, AND NURSING STAFF MEMBERS. FINDINGS OF THE STUDY DEMONSTRATE, IN THE AUTHOR'S VIEW, GRAVE DEFICIENCIES IN HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS WHICH SERIOUSLY JEOPARDIZE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE JAIL INMATES. MAJOR DEFICIENCIES POINTED OUT ARE SEVERE OVERCROWDING, DEMEANING AND CURSORY MEDICAL CARE, NO ROUTINE INTAKE SCREENING, VIRTUALLY NO REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS FOR INMATES WITH ALCOHOL, DRUG OR MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, AND NO SYSTEM FOR CONTINUOUS EVALUATION OF SERVICES. TWENTY-FIVE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT ARE OUTLINED, GROUPED UNDER EIGHT GENERAL HEADINGS - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, INTAKE SCREENING, HEALTH CARE PRACTICES, STAFFING, COMMUNITY RESOURCES, SPECIAL HEALTH NEEDS, EXPANSION OF FACILITIES, AND EVALUATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY.