Care for prisoners with psychological problems or psychiatric disorders
Care for prisoners with psychological problems or psychiatric disorders
You will probably very often meet women with different kinds of psychological problems or psychiatric disorders. Try to provide the following general measures.
A thorough medical examination on admission including investigation about mental health problems, and if necessary a risk assessment.
Individualised treatment according to the various needs.
Pharmacological treatment when needed: antidepressants, sedatives, neuroleptics. Avoid benzodiazepines and long term use of sleeping pills as far as possible.
Individual psychotherapy/support therapy and/or group therapy. Occupational therapy and other activities.
It may be necessary to transfer a prisoner with severe psychiatric symptoms to a hospital facility for care and treatment. The hospital should be adequately equipped and possess appropriate trained staff. Keep in touch with your patient.
Use of means of physical restraint is very rarely justified but might occur. In such cases the means of restraint shall be removed at the earliest possible opportunity. It must always be either expressly ordered by a medical doctor or immediately brought to the attention of such a doctor with a view to seeking his approval.
NB! A suicidal prisoner must be kept under close supervision. A strategy to prevent suicide attempts and suicides must be developed.
It is an advantage when you face difficult problems and stressful challenges when meeting female prisoners with different kinds of emotional problems or psychiatric disorders to have a doctor qualified in psychiatry attached to the health care service of each prison, and it is preferable that some of the nurses working in the service have psychiatric training.