Essay On Prior Criminal History

The author of this research paper explores why knowledge of prior criminal history affects the health care standards in correctional facilities. The access to past criminal history of patients being treated in correctional facilities is said to be primarily responsible for the poor treatment they tend to receive when seeking medical attention as inmates. Despite efforts to separate an inmates’ criminal past from those responsible in providing medical care; criminal history of individuals is publicly accessible and difficult to restrict. Society as a whole tends to hold a bias toward specific types of crimes committed against their citizens, such as: rape, child molestation, and human trafficking. Individuals convicted of these types of crimes are often subject to bias when receiving medical treatment while incarcerated. Health care professionals must place aside their personal feelings and provide professional care to incarcerated individuals, as …show more content…
Inmates are often treated based on crime committed or length of criminal history, not just in prison but also in society in general. A prior criminal history may affect many aspects of life, from obtaining a secondary education, to being able work in specific career fields, such as: law, law enforcement, or medical careers. When incarcerated prior knowledge of prior criminal history by the correctional officers in charge of your health and welfare can affect the way the inmate is treated and the freedom within the prison they get. Correctional nurses and health care providers should not have access to an inmates’ criminal past as it fosters an environment where bias is found in the treatment of patients and bedside manner is almost non-existent, as they are subject to the same judgment and prejudice as the correctional officers in charge of