Providing health care to prisoners

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 31 Jul 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Moonklad	31 Jul 2002
Hey everyone- For those that don't know me that well, I am a registered nurse and I work in a critical care unit. Often we are called upon to provide care for prisoners from the local prison. Thankfully they all come accompanied by guards so I don't feel a safety issue at all. However sometimes it is hard to remain impartial and give care to someone I know raped and murdered someone or a child molester for instance. It is a challenge to say the least. If possible I try not to find out what the person did so it is easier but sometimes that is impossible. I still provide the care they need with kindness but it can be a struggle. How do you feel about this? Do you think you would be able to put aside a person's crime and carry on just like they were any other patient? blessings, Moonklad

Kiama	31 Jul 2002
This is a diffcult one, and I doubt anybody can answer it with ull accuracy until they've actually been in your situation! However, we can try to assess our reacions... I think that everybody deserves even the most rudimentary care facilities, and the access to health care. If they are refused such cre or medicines, then one could say that that is suffice to cruelty. As a person in the leth cae profession, whether you are a doctor, paramedic, nurse, first aider, you abide by some form of the Hippocratic oath, and by this oath, we are required to provide care to everybody. Some people give you th eold on of 'If youfound Hitler unconcsiocu, would you resusitate him?'. Many say no, some say yes. However, the different between Hitler and these criminals i that if HItler WAS unconscious, it would mean he is still alive, and has sill t commit the terrible atrocities he did. With these criminals, they have alread committed their crimes, and you not helping them would not take back what they did. This is only theoretical however, and in areal-life situation, I am still not sure what my reaction would be. Hopefully it would be that it is noit my right to judge people by their crimes, so, whilst finding it difficult, I would give them the necessary treatment. Kiama PS- As a Voluntary First Aider and Carer with St John Ambulance, I hae to answer these sorts of questions to a lesser degree... I once came across a boy a couple of years ago, who had been hit by a car. I recognised him as theringleader od the gang who bullied me for 3 years in Junior School. It was difficult to treat his broken leg, whilst remembering all he had done to me, but I did.

Liliana	31 Jul 2002
Most definately, its not for me to judge them. Its for the law and ultimately God/dess to do so, and in my eyes they are just human. I wouldnt know the cicumstances behind what hapened, many are just insane, how can I judge someone for having a brain that doesnt function properly? And what kind of treatment did they have as a kid and beyond to make them to choose to do a horrific act? Seems like they are already punished to me, Id more likely pity them than anything. Of course many modern jails are becoming like 5 star hotels, that I dont appreciate, but I wont get into that. :THP

jade	31 Jul 2002
i think that i could do it. although i would be very cautious and not do anything for them that wasn't necc. people who are incarcerated can be extremely manipulating, so i would not allow myself to get.......drawn in. in light, jade

PurpleGoddess	31 Jul 2002
yes, they deserve at least the basics of care nothing more. what makes me angry! do you know that if one needs a transplant they're put on the list above people who are not in the prison system? do you know that they get free dental implants and better health care than those who are on welfare or some kind of supplemental program? like our elderly and people on welfare to work? i have good coverage but can't afford glasses and contacts at the same time. would love to have my teeth just a little bit white..but why should i pay for someone to have the ultimate of care for murdering or raping someone!?!?!?!?! most of these people have no remorse and believe that they are entitled to more than they deserve. this issue makes me VERY ANGRY because there are millions of people in the states that can't afford healthcare while the prisoners get it for FREE!!!!!

RedWood	31 Jul 2002
I agree...I would atleast give them the care they needed..Then that would be it...

The Providing health care to prisoners thread was originally posted on 31 Jul 2002 in the Chat board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Chat, or read more archived threads.