“I’m the One with the Degree:” Challenges to Medical Autonomy in Correctional Healthcare

• In Event: How Qualitative Methods can Inform Health and Healthcare in Prisons and Jails

Abstract

Correctional healthcare workers face numerous challenges delivering healthcare to incarcerated patients. This study aims to understand the ways these healthcare workers struggle to assert their medical and clinical independence from custody staff. The study employed a qualitative design, using in-depth interviews with forty-six correctional healthcare workers across the U.S. in 2022. Participants described a culture of subordination and deference to custody staff, which allowed for custody’s intervention in health processes. Participants also encountered policies in the name of “safety and security” that enabled their involvement in delivering punishment. Lastly, several institutional factors led to delays and denial of care. Healthcare workers also described their strategies for overcoming these issues. Policy implications for improving medical autonomy in correctional healthcare is also discussed.

Author

• Allison Gorga, Webster University