Aloha. A few weeks ago I was able to visit San Quentin Prison near San Francisco. One of the oldest prisons in the United States it was originally started aboard a ship that was anchored offshore. It was built in the 1850's and to this day many parts of it reflect that heritage or time period. I did not take the public tour but rather was escorted by one of the medical personnel - a nurse to be specific. It was one of the most interesting experiences I have had.
By way of a brief background the Prison system in California is under Federal receivership meaning they are subject to Federal oversight and control of the whole system. I will not delineate further here as there are plenty of other much better bloggers with much more and better information that are keeping up with the process.
My own background as a nurse has largely been Medical Surgical nursing and while I would say I have competently taken care of patients I am not a great nurse. I'm striving to be . . . I have excellent rapport, am a good history taker and can take very good care of them on a psychological level. My first love has always been the Emergency Medical System (EMS) since I started in the field as an EMT and than moved into the Emergency Room (ER) as an ER Technician. Of late I have been all over the place looking at how we do medicine in this country - I have visited the Veterans Administration and part of my search was to visit the State correctional system.
Overall what I see (to no great surprise) is an overburdened and underfunded system, at many levels, stretched to the breaking point. I see the patients and staff doing the best that they can but clearly, the Federal Government's priority is keeping America safe by war fighting, combating terrorism and spreading Peace, Freedom and Democracy around the globe. I think that if they continue to ignore the American people that there will be trouble - personally I would like to see a revolution, an overthrow of the conservatives and neoconservatives.
But I digress . . . brief impressions of the medical system at San Quentin. So much to do with so few resources yet they tell me that it has gotten so much better. Unique challenges abound, for example an inmate suffers a heart attack yet locked in a cell, not under direct observation poses a challenge as to getting to them in time to attempt resuscitation.
I did not find it a scary place. I was very respectful and indeed this last week a few guards were stabbed in a riot in Southern California. So things can change in an instant. I am not sure I would wish to work there but I went with the intention of not having a closed mind about it and yes, I would still consider it at this point and I do not even know the benefits and pay. Deep down I believe that all people deserve health care to the best level possible.
I did find myself a bit nervous at times but I never saw so many guards in my life. I would have liked to work a shift and that may still be possible - they are checking into it. I do know that the stress alone of being in the system can lead to major problems in previously healthy people. It was noisy, crowded but also busy with inmates talking, laughing, and just trying to get through there day.
It was an amazing place and I may write more but this post is long enough for now. Thanks for reading, always.
David
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