A Women’s Guide to Holistic Well-Being in Prison: Women’s Prison Health Care
No one wants to get sick. But when you do, the good news is, whether you have the flu or a chronic condition like diabetes, medical care is available to you in prison. It’s your constitutional right.
As a woman, you have unique medical and physical needs. In this chapter, we’ll discuss some of them to help you know what you can realistically expect from prison health care. You only have one body, and it’s up to you to seek the best care you can access despite being behind bars. Don’t let your fears or distrust of people in authority, including medical professionals, keep you from getting the care you deserve.
MAKING THE MOST OF PRISON HEALTH CARE
Now is a good time to embrace healthy mindsets and behaviors so you can be your best self. Chanda Robinson, a program counselor for Prison Fellowship Academy® at Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in Oklahoma and a former prisoner, says: “We’ve got to do better, but it all starts [in the mind], because if I don’t change my mind, I’m not going to change the way I live.”
One way to embrace a healthy mindset is to take advantage of preventive care like physicals, immunizations, dental cleanings, and screenings for cancer. Services like these are available at many facilities. Just make sure you request them and then keep your appointments. If you miss a scheduled doctor’s visit, your failure to show will be recorded. If you want to reschedule, you’ll need to initiate that process yourself.
And timely appointments with some doctors, especially dentists, are difficult to get. You could be on a waitlist for months (or years in some states) for a cleaning. If you’re in pain, though, speak up! Fill out a form to request to speak to a staff member. Ensure you are seen, heard, and cared for. You’re worth this extra effort.
PHYSICIANS, PRESCRIPTIONS, AND PERSISTENCE
Prisons typically have on-site doctors who care for chronic diseases and mental health professionals who can help you manage disorders like depression or anxiety. Some prisons offer on-site nursing homes, and a few, 3.75%, even offer hospice services. Find out which types of care and services are available at your facility, and then, make plans to use them when needed.
Although a variety of medicines and treatment regimens are offered at your facility, you may be prescribed Tylenol or ibuprofen initially. According to an Oklahoma Department of Corrections nurse we interviewed, more potent pain medications are typically reserved for women who live in the medical ward.
Pain medicines can be hard on the liver, especially if you’ve taken them with alcohol or you’ve taken more than the recommended dose. Still, some women want something stronger, especially women who have a history of substance abuse. As a result, an intricate decision-making process may be implemented for prescribing medications. Physicians may consider alternative therapies, a drug’s benefit to the patient, and how it might compromise the system if used inappropriately as contraband. So, you may not get the drug you were hoping for on your first visit.
If you follow the prescribed treatment plan and realize your condition isn’t improving, continue to speak up for yourself. Be persistent, be patient, and follow your facility’s procedures to make sure you get your health issues addressed as quickly as possible.
However, there will be times when ibuprofen is exactly what you’ll need, especially if you have a history of severe menstrual cramps. Chanda recommends getting this documented during the intake process. Good documentation and communication are vital in getting what you need in prison.
LIVING WITH CHRONIC OR COMMUNICABLE DISEASES WHILE IN PRISON
It’s not uncommon for other women to show kindness toward those who bravely battle an illness like cancer. But you also have a responsibility to be kind to yourself.
CHRONIC ILLNESSES IN PRISON
You may not want to admit it, but prison may be just the right place for you to get the medical care you need. You may find that some issues like diabetes and high blood pressure are better managed in prison. On the outside, you may not have had access to good health care, reliable transportation to a medical facility, or money to pay for a doctor’s visit. These burdens become lighter when you’re in prison.
And, if you need prescriptions, they’re conveniently located on-site. However, you may have to stand in an injection line or pill line to have them administered. Other medications may be dubbed KOPs: keep-on-person medications. At some facilities, you may be allowed to keep those in your locker to take as prescribed. But every facility is different. Follow the rules at your location based on your security level. Let your actions reveal that you’re concerned about your health care.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Getting immunized is one action you can take to make sure you’re not only being responsible with your own health, but you’re also considerate of others in your community, because in prison, communicable diseases are more common than in the free world. A communicable disease is one that is contagious because it can be spread from person to person.
Overcrowded prisons are breeding grounds for airborne infections like COVID-19, tuberculosis, and the flu. Sexually transmitted infections are also more common behind bars than on the outside. And women typically present with more cases —like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis—than their male counterparts. Incarcerated populations also have HIV and AIDS at three times the rate of people who aren’t behind bars, so avoiding sexual relationships in prison is wise.
Communicable diseases like hepatitis C are common among those who use dirty needles. Hepatitis C is a virus that affects the liver. It is spread when an infected person’s blood mixes with someone else’s. Any of the following could put you at risk for the disease:
- Bloodshed during a fight with an infected person.
- Getting tattoos with unsterilized equipment.
- Sharing a razor with an infected person.
- Sexual intercourse with someone who’s infected.
Many facilities offer screening for this virus. Some even offer treatment. If you’re at risk for the disease and have the following symptoms, ask to be seen by a medical professional:
- Bruising easily.
- Experiencing fatigue.
- Having an upset stomach.
- Yellowing skin or eyes.
- Darkening urine.
- Losing weight.
LEARNING TO THRIVE BEHIND BARS
This chapter speaks to the unique health care needs of incarcerated women of all ages, from maxi pads and menopause to mental health and mammograms. Learn about what it’s like to age in prison or become a new mom behind bars. You will also be given encouragement, advice, and a few tips from women who have been where you are. Use this information to help you thrive.
DISCLAIMER
The content in this guide is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or legal advice. Please consult the appropriate entity (e.g., medical professional, health care provider, or attorney) if you are seeking advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment plan. Neither Prison Fellowship® nor its employees are responsible for the risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this guide.
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