Prison nursing: the tension between custody and care

All prisons provide healthcare services which aim to meet the needs of prisoners. The goal of the service is to give prisoners access to the same quality and range of health care as the NHS gives the general public. However, within the prison environment priorities centre around order, control and discipline and therefore an ethos of health care needs to be developed. Custody reduces the prisoner's opportunity for self-care and independent action as inmates have to consult nursing or medical staff for even the most simple remedies. Nursing staff in the prison service can play a significant part in primary health care, mental disorder and health promotion. Nurses have the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to deal with this diverse and vulnerable prison population and to promote a positive interface between custody and care.