Correctional nursing in Liguria, Italy: examining the ethical challenges

Area of Science:

• Nursing Ethics
• Correctional Healthcare
• Qualitative Research Methods

Background:

• Correctional nursing presents unique ethical difficulties.
• This study investigated ethical challenges faced by nurses in Liguria's correctional facilities.
• Empirical data were analyzed against the Italian Code of Ethics for Nurses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine ethical challenges in correctional nursing.
• To analyze empirical data in relation to ethical standards.
• To inform policy, education, and practice changes.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative (questionnaires, Measure of Job Satisfaction) and qualitative (focus groups) data.
• Data collected from 75 nurses and managers in the Ligurian correctional system.
• Thematic analysis of focus group data and analysis of the Italian Code of Ethics.

Main Results:

• Unfavorable factors (structural, organizational, relational) impacted recruitment and retention; favorable factors included nursing consultation, education, and peer support.
• Job satisfaction was rated as 'unsatisfied'.
• Key themes identified: health needs of incarcerated persons, care vs. custody boundaries, job satisfaction, barriers to care, and security needs.

Conclusions:

• Ethical standards in correctional settings are systematically compromised.
• Nurses experience moral distress due to ethically-problematic care situations.
• Findings highlight the need for policy, educational, and practice improvements for correctional nurses.