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Abstract: 

According to Bureau of Justice Statistics for 2004, about 12% of all state and federal inmates underwent surgery after being admitted to prison. A substantial number are transferred to community hospitals to have their surgeries performed outside prison walls. In an article published in AORN Journal, “Perioperative Care of Prisoners: Providing Safe Care,” Francis Duval Smith, a perioperative nurse, examines the issues associated with “providing care to prisoners in unsecured clinical areas increases the risk of prisoner escape and places the nurse and other caregivers at risk for physical assault.” We summarize the major findings and recommendations of the author, including ways of preventing and resolving potential conflicts between nursing care and security, and reducing the risks of assault or escape.

Keywords: situational awareness; security measures; police powers; prisoner transport; restraints

Affiliations:  1: Pace University School of Law .