EMS and Prisons

[bgilmore07]

I am looking for EMS providers who have experience dealing with a state or federal prison. I waited in-between two electronic fences for 15 minutes while the CO's 'searched' my vehicle, took my name, and waited for the BLS squad to show up (I'm in a single-person ALS aid car). One CO actually said, "They'd rather that the prisoner dies than let you sneak in with something." BTW- We were going to the medical office for a possible stroke victim.

How do you get to patients in a prison? Do they need to bring your vehicle into the compound, or can you just bring a stretcher and some equipment? Why do they have to search you if they are with you the entire time that you are in the facility?

Feedback, folks...

[EMT-P]

I have responded to a few calls to the state prison. The city that I live in recognizes our ambulance and the fact that "They called us". They do a quick look into our rig and run with us to the prisoners location. The cool thing about our state prison is that they have EMTs and Paramedics that work at the actual prison. So by the time I get there there is usually a IV line in place and the patient is faily packaged. As far as the guards being a little too cautious with you, I think that they are trained that way. The guards don't feel that the prisoners deserve any kind of care at all. Although I feel that the prisoner may be a guilty man and probably deserves to be in jail. The prisoner still deserves the best of "My" care. Take care and Stay Safe.

[This message has been edited by EMT-P (edited May 08, 2000).]

[dtj]

I am a volunteer EMT in Delaware and and a correctional supervisor with the DE Dept. of Correction.
Your questions are ceratinly good ones and deserve some answers, which unfortunately can only come from the warden of that particular prison.
Most prisons, if nat all, have a mission statement which provides for the protection of inmates, staff, visitors, other personnel, and the community. Each prison has different, yet similar, procedures to provide for that protection. There needs to be a balance for that protection and patient care. Sometimes, it's just a matter of talking to gain understanding from each other's perspective. Another thing to realize is the recent changes to EMS protocols may not have reached the prison systems, which historically have been slow to change.
However, at the same time, I probably wouldn't worry a lot if I get held up at a gate. More prisons have some sort of 24 hour medical staff which can provide BLS treatment. I don't know what type of medical staffing the facility in question has on duty.
As far as searches and equipment go, it is up to the individual wardens to decide what type of search is conducted, what equipment and vehicles are allowed in, and the entry procedures for personnel, equipment, and vehicles. Searches are conducted for the safety of everyone involved. It detects what you have and determines the risk involved. Inmates have been known to take elaborate steps to escape and nothing should be overlooked. If you are not searched, no one knows what you have until you pull it out, regardless of what type of escort or overwatch is provided. Correctional staff have no way of dealing with many types of weapons once they enter the instsitution.
The bottom line is that the answers to your questions lie solely with the Warden of that institution. My advice would be to use the chain of command to get those answers. You may find that the Warden is more than willing to listen to your point of view.

05/19/00
Your EMT scissors, for example, will cut a fence as easy as it will a penny.
If they allow your vehicle on the compound, make sure to shut the engine off and lock it. Also, keep in mind that a human body can fit between the chassis under the box on many ambulances and trucks.
There was an inmate in DE that attempted to escape by hiding in a trash dumpster on pickup day. he made it out before they discovered he was missing but stopped the truck before it was taken to the landfill. They returned to the prison and found him inside, crushed and mutilated. The driver had enough sense to compact the trash before he left. Inmates will do what it takes to escape.

[This message has been edited by dtj (edited May 19, 2000).]