Nurses have a fundamental responsibility to promote health, to prevent illness, to restore health and to alleviate suffering. Their primary responsibility is to those people who require nursing care. 2 Nurses are often the first health professionals to suspect or detect ill-treatment of detainees and prisoners. Nurses who have knowledge of ill-treatment of detainees and prisoners must take appropriate action to safeguard their rights. Nurses employed in prison health services do not assume functions of prison security personnel, such as body searches conducted for the purpose of prison security.
Nurses participate in clinical research on prisoners and detainees only with their informed consent.
NNAs should provide access to confidential advice, counsel and support for prison nurses. The Geneva Convention of 1949 and the additional protocols, in case of armed conflict entitle members of armed forces, prisoners and persons taking no part in hostilities to protection and humane treatment. The International Council of Nurses is a federation of more than 120 national nurses' associations representing the millions of nurses worldwide. Operated by nurses for nurses, ICN is the international voice of nursing and works to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally.