NCJ Number
37275
Date Published
1976
Length
130 pages
Annotation
IN 1972, THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION SET ITSELF THE TASK OF DEVELOPING STANDARDS FOR HEALTH SERVICES IN ALL PRISONS AND JAILS; THE RESULTS OF ITS EFFORTS ARE PUBLISHED IN THIS BOOK.
Abstract
THESE STANDARDS ARE BASED UPON SEVERAL FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES. ONE, IT IS A PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY TO ASSURE THAT ALL THOSE INCARCERATED HAVE AS ADEQUATE HEALTH CARE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THEM AS THOSE WHO ARE FREE TO SEEK AND OBTAIN HEALTH CARE FOR THEMSELVES. TWO, EVERY PRISONER SHOULD HAVE UNIMPEDED ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES, WHICH INCLUDES BEING INFORMED OF THEIR AVAILABILITY AND THE MECHANISM FOR UTILIZING THEM. THREE, THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDED SHALL BE COMPARABLE IN QUALITY TO THAT PREVAILING IN THE COMMUNITY, AND AT ALL TIMES MEET AN APPROVED MINIMUM LEVEL. THE STANDARDS PRESENTED COVER THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS OF HEALTH CARE IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS: PRIMARY HEALTH SERVICES, SECONDARY CARE SERVICES, HEALTH SERVICES FOR WOMEN OFFENDERS, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, DENTAL CARE, ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICES, PHARMACY SERVICES, HEALTH RECORDS, EVALUATION OF SERVICES, AND STAFFING. EACH STANDARD IS FOLLOWED BY A DISCUSSION OF THE RATIONALE FOR COMPLIANCE FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH STANDPOINT. THE BOOK STRESSES THAT THE INDEPENDENCE OF AN INSTITUTION'S HEALTH PROGRAM, THE PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY OF ITS STAFF, AND THE CONFIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PATIENT AND HEALTH PROFESSIONAL MUST BE PROTECTED BY THE CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATION. AN INDEX IS PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)