Enhancing Safety and Security in Corrections: Understanding Healthcare Behind Bars

Introduction to a Career in Correctional Healthcare

So, you’ve just landed your first healthcare contract and headed to a correctional facility – congratulations! You can sigh a breath of relief knowing you are in good hands with Astrya and your new position. If you haven’t already, you’ll soon begin our thorough vetting process, comprehensive background checks, verification of education, licenses, certifications, clinical testing, and self-evaluations. Through conducting specialized training sessions, we help empower correctional facility personnel to respond appropriately to various safety and security incidents.

Safety and security are paramount within these settings. Not only does it protect inmates and staff, but it also upholds the overall functioning of the correctional system. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of safety and security in correctional facilities and discuss how Astrya Global contributes to these critical aspects.

Understanding the Complexities of Safety and Security in Prisons

Correctional facilities face many challenges with safety and security. These challenges include violence among inmates, inmate misconduct, contraband smuggling, mental health issues, infectious diseases, and emergencies requiring immediate medical attention. To effectively address these challenges, correctional facilities must implement strict safety and security measures.

Astrya Global's Role in Correctional Facility Medical Staffing

Medical staffing companies play a pivotal role in supporting safety and security within correctional facilities. We provide correctional facilities with access to mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and nurse practitioners. These professionals deliver comprehensive medical services to inmates, ranging from acute to chronic illness treatment and rehabilitation efforts. Correctional facilities often face many inmates with mental health conditions. Recently, Astrya Global was awarded a recruitment agency contract with CalMHSA to address critical mental health staffing needs within correctional facilities. Astrya provides mental health professionals who can assess, diagnose, and treat these individuals. By addressing mental health issues, medical staff help reduce incidents of violence and self-harm within the facility, thereby enhancing safety. These programs aim to rehabilitate inmates, combat recidivism rates, and contribute to overall safety within the facility.

Prioritizing Safety: Protocols and Training in Correctional Healthcare

In many ways, working in a correctional facility is similar to working in a clinic or hospital setting. Every process is controlled, monitored, scheduled, and regimented to ensure the staff and inmates are well-prepared and well-taken care of. One of the benefits of working in correctional healthcare is encountering complex situations that require working with a team and utilizing networking and interpersonal skills. While autonomy is encouraged, camaraderie is imperative to security and medical staff. Correctional administrators, healthcare staff, and security personnel work together to develop comprehensive safety plans, establish clear communication channels, and conduct periodic drills and simulations to prepare for emergencies. Building a culture of mutual support and trust fosters a safer working environment. Training and orientation are also crucial, covering self-defense techniques, de-escalation strategies, and protocols for responding to emergencies. By providing healthcare staff with the necessary skills and knowledge, correctional facilities can empower them to handle demanding situations effectively and protect their well-being. Astrya Global follows strict legislative standards and company policies, procedures and codes of practice while hiring and training new employees and contract workers.

A Day in the Life: California Corrections with Astrya Global

A typical day in with California Corrections starts with checking emails for any updates regarding patients, accompanied by mandatory Learning Management System (LMS) training. This is then followed by an early morning meeting to discuss any updates or incidents with the entire team. The day also involves treatment planning, collaborating with medical and corporate psychiatry, and coordinating medications. A mid-afternoon meeting is held to discuss the events of the day, along with Inter-Disciplinary Plan (IDP) team meetings involving the entire treatment team. Services can range from providing therapy to patients, planning treatment, and conducting evaluations, to collaborating with other healthcare professionals for comprehensive patient care.

Learn from a Doctor: What it'‘s Like Working in Correctional Facilities

According to Dr. R, a psychologist with California Corrections, “Working in Corrections provides a fast-paced, challenging, and rewarding environment. The role primarily involves helping inmates find purpose and meaning, though it's worth noting that not all inmates are actively seeking help. The safety of staff is a top priority, with the presence of guards during therapy sessions and established protocols to ensure a secure environment”.

Collaborative Partnerships: Building a Secure Medical Environment

Medical staffing companies work closely with correctional facility administrators, security personnel, and other stakeholders to develop collaborative partnerships. These partnerships foster effective communication, coordination, and information sharing, which are crucial for maintaining a safe and secure environment. By actively participating in facility-wide safety and security committees, medical staffing companies contribute an integrated approach to safety within the correctional system. 

Astrya Global's Commitment to Safety and Healthcare in Correctional Facilities

Safety and security in correctional facilities are of utmost importance, as they impact the well-being of both inmates and staff. Astrya Global takes accountability in enhancing safety within these facilities by providing staffing needs for comprehensive medical services, mental health issues, and substance abuse treatment. Through training, education initiatives, and collaborative partnerships, Astrya Global contributes to a safe and secure environment within California correctional facilities.