Candid Comment - Caring For Prisoners In The Hospital

Media reports that Robert Pickton, a serial killer, was stabbed in the head Sunday, leaving the 74-year-old in critical condition. The incident happened at the Port Cartier Institution. The prison is located north of the city of Port Cartier and is about 400 miles (ca. 644 km) from Quebec City. A 51-year-old inmate is under arrest and charges are pending, re the outcome for Pickton.

What is interesting about this case for me is the fact that he has to be treated like any other patient who comes into the hospital. It begs the question of how do doctors and nurses deal with the fact that they are treating someone who has done an evil thing. Pickton, serving a life sentence for murder. Convicted on 6 counts, he is also responsible for over 30 more victims, most indigenous women.

So what does one do knowing the person is an inmate, or has committed a crime and is in the emerg awaiting treatment?

In the case of Pickton, people on staff at the hospital would have an idea of who he is and what he did. Therefore, they would have to do their best to think more in terms of treating an illness or injury rather than the person. If they do not know the person, they would probably be well advised to not look up the person online, to avoid finding out what they did. In other words, just treat the person and leave it at that. Doctors and nurses should try to stay neutral in their approach to the patient, and this is especially true re an inmate. Do no harm is the creed of the medical staff, and sticking to that rule is the prime mission. Tough to do but, a must when dealing with prisoners and those who are brought in for treatment accused of a crime. In the US, a 2009 report, published in the American Journal of Public Health, unearthed some worrisome stats:

Among inmates with a persistent medical problem, 13.9% of federal inmates, 20.1% of state inmates, and 68.4% of local jail inmates had received no medical examination since incarceration.

Prior to incarceration, slightly more than 1 in 7 inmates were taking a prescription medication for an active medical problem routinely requiring medication (as defined in the Methods section). Of these, 3314 federal (20.9%), 43 679 state (24.3%), and 28 473 local jail inmates (36.5%) stopped the medication following incarceration.

Only a small portion of prison inmates (3.9% of federal and 6.4% of state inmates) with an active medical problem for which laboratory monitoring is routinely indicated had not undergone at least 1 blood test since incarceration. However, most local jail inmates with such a condition (60.1% [*SE = 1.8%]) had not undergone a blood test.

Following serious injury, 650 federal inmates (7.7%), 12 997 state inmates (12.0%), and, 3183 local jail inmates (24.7%) were not seen by medical personnel.

I was unable to find any information on Canadian prisoners. In fact, the available data is poor or almost non-existent, largely due to privacy regulation. I did find a link to data on the National Library of Medicine that does review health data, but again it is not robust.

I do not envy doctors and nurses who have to deal with offenders. The job is difficult enough as it is now they have to handle a man or woman who has a criminal record. Looping back to Pickton. Here is a man who has been seriously wounded, possibly mortally, though he is still clinging to life. How does the staff at the hospital treat a man who killed over 30 women without feeling something, especially those on staff who are women? I do not know, how they would but, they are and do treat offenders. My guess from what I am reading is they try to focus on the patient in the sense of need. He requires treatment, therefore treat him nothing more, nothing less. Keep as much focus possible on the medical application re his care rather than the emotional side of the care. 

Most Canadians, including some victims families, really do not care if he dies and would not mind if it was painful. But, staff in the hospital have to take a different approach. They do need to try to save his life, and they do need to do what they can to relieve his pain. That is the tough part of the job. The best thing we as nonmedical personnel can do is support them. Thank them for doing what is most certainly an unpleasant part of their job, treating someone not many want to see live or be free of pain.

As always, thanks for taking time to read the content on this site, your input is welcome, please remember to be respectful and not engage in behavior that can be deemed offensive or hate inspired. Such commentary will be removed, and your ISP may receive a report about your conduct. I reserve the right to edit or remove content that is deemed to be inappropriate.

*SE most likely a reference to State Equivalence.

Candid Comment - Understanding The Bible

Hello, it has been some time since I logged an entry here. I have been dealing with medical issues and other changes. But I can get back into blogging, YouTube, and podcasting as things are improving.

For those who do not know, I am a Christian. Well, I call myself one. I am not the best at the lifestyle, but I do try to live it. One of the things a person who follows the faith does is read the Bible. Christians are supposed to also ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit to gain insight into the meaning of scriptures and how to actually apply them to one's life. The Bible does encourage participation. James 1:22-26, for example, gives clear guidance to do what the Bible says. Now, one must remember that the Bible has many parts to it that touch on things that we may want to clarify before doing. 

One example of this is the scripture that talks about cutting off limbs to avoid sin. Matthew 5:29–30 is the scripture I am referring to. This is literal, meaning Jesus actually preached this. But it is also spiritual in nature as well. The sin of adultery was so serious in Jesus's view that he wanted people to understand its consequences, including going to hell. So he suggested that it would be better to have lost a foot, a hand, or an eye to be tossed into hell whole for the sin. Now, this is a grave and dangerous thing to do. Cutting a limb would lead to one's death. Never do this. Do not do it; you will die. Many people at the time Jesus walked the earth probably did this and probably ended up dead. While literal, this scripture is also meant to be read this way: Cut the thing that is causing you to sin away. Like porn or booze, cut that if you're walking to see it and do it. It is hard to do, but with some help from friends, family, and the Lord, you can. It just takes work. Lots of it. This scripture is hyperbole. It's meant to show how serious sin is, especially sin like messing with another man's wife.

Another well-known scripture is about an eye for an eye. What does this mean? Well, simply put, it is meant to say to use equal force. Exodus 21:24–25 speaks about this, and there is a footnote listed in the scripture linked. It was the law that equal force be applied, so if someone broke a bone, the punishment was that person's bone would be broken; if you killed them, then you lost your life. However, in the New Testament, Jesus flipped this; in Matthew 5:38–40, he openly suggests not to retaliate. In fact, he recommends we do the right thing, go the extra mile, and use the least amount of force possible; even offering to be kind and help them may stop the aggression. That said, there are limits. Certainly, if someone is really trying to do serious harm to you or even attempting to ruin you in other ways, you have every right to defend yourself by force if needed and the force of the law.

So why am I pointing this out? Well, simply put, people have some interesting opinions about the Bible, and while I respect them and their opinions, the record needs to be set straight here. 

People think that the Bible is nothing more than a bunch of stories, aka fairy tales. Nothing could be more incorrect. The Bible was written by real people who were inspired and led by the Spirit and Jesus,
and who had interaction with God himself. I know some will say, Ha, have you? Yes, I have. There have been many instances of close calls and some near-death experiences that I have had. The most notable was shortly after birth. At 10 days old, I was operated on, and the issue of an extra valve in the heart that should not be there was due to the German measles my mother contracted during her pregnancy with me.

During the pre-op, I was given my name in case I died. There is an archived photo I have seen of this event. Though I would be hard-pressed to find it, it was reported in the media. The minister performing the ceremony lost the kit containing the communion chalice and other articles. It was brand new, never used except during that event. Also, at least 60 other children underwent the same procedure that year; none lived. God is real, just as is that other guy with the horns. And this is no joke. The Bible is no fairy tale, and it is to be read with care. If you do not understand something in it, ask a qualified Bible scholar for answers or your pastor or priest. 

I know some skeptics are still going to read this and go, bah whatev. Ok, fair, but I just wanted to let you know that the Bible is a book, not just of stories, but one that can help you make good decisions and also comfort you when the going gets rough. Take a dive in and read with an open mind and heart. But don't be shy. If you do not get what the scripture is saying, I would do a go around the room thing to make sure you have a clear reading of what you have seen in the book.

Thank you for reading this article. Pass it on and enjoy the blog.