The courts have played a significant role toward improving prison health care that, until recently, was considered primitive and inadequate. The National Commission of Correctional Health Care and American Correctional Association are two organizations that promote quality health care by establishing standards of practice and monitoring adherence. The NCH acknowledges the special skills required of correctional health care professionals by offering special certification for accomplishments and resources for self improvement. Annual training in Tool Control, Key Control, Defensive Tactics, and Professional Ethics reinforce quality security practices that prevent complacency in this unique work environment. Pennsylvania administrates 25 states prisons.
Salaries are comparable to civilian wages and include an attractive state paid benefit package.
The Department of Corrections offers a unique challenge for nurses committed to effecting health care. I am confident that staff efforts toward improving the health care for inmates have absolute ramifications for correctional staff, inmate families, and the public at large.