Healthcare News

Correctional nursing is one of the most challenging—and often overlooked—specialties in healthcare. Nurses working in jails, prisons, and detention centers provide critical care to a vulnerable and underserved population, all while navigating a highly structured and security-focused environment.

For many nurses, stepping into a correctional setting requires a shift in mindset, advanced clinical judgment, and specialized education.

Correctional nurses play a critical role in the healthcare system by providing essential medical care to incarcerated individuals. The unique environment of jails and prisons presents distinct challenges that require specialized knowledge and skills. Continuing education (CE) is vital for correctional nurses to stay updated on best practices, improve patient outcomes, and ensure professional growth.

Jail medical company fired after whistleblower nurse warned medical delays put patients at risk in Sherburne County.

A member of Montana’s Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, was jailed in 2015 after a suicide attempt. She is now part of a group of tribal members, academics and policy experts proposing alternatives to the policy of jailing people who try to kill themselves. The policy was created in 2010 because of a lack of mental health resources on the reservation. 

Trauma is almost ubiquitous among a male prison population, with rates of exposure to violence or traumatic events being reported as anywhere between about 62% to 100% - roughly double that in a community-based male population. This is why PTSD is so common in prison inmates.