Academy Insider

First veteran exclusive jail dorm opens

10 May 2012 13:19:49 CDT

A Georgia sheriff says he is opening the first county jail in the U.S. exclusively for inmates who are military veterans. "The people in the veterans dorm get access to programs that will hopefully be addressing their concerns or needs," said Muscogee County Sheriff John Darr. "When they transition back into the community we don't have the problem [of recidivism.]"

Continue your education at NCCHC's Live Learning Center

10 May 2012 13:19:49 CDT

Academy members: Did you know? When you attend NCCHC's Updates in Correctional Health Care conference (May 19-22 in San Antonio) you will receive not only a nice member discount but also free access to recorded educational sessions from the meeting on the NCCHC Live Learning Center!

Conference info: http://ncchc.org/education/updates/index.html
Live Learning Center: http://ncchc.sclivelearningcenter.com/index.aspx?PID=4621

California, advocates disagree on future of prison health care

10 May 2012 13:19:49 CDT

Gov. Jerry Brown's administration is sharply at odds with inmate advocates and a federal receiver over the future of the prison medical system, a new court filing showed. The document was submitted after the federal judge overseeing the case asked each side to present its proposals for how to end six years of federal control of inmate health care.

Study: Americans see room for improvement in corrections system

10 May 2012 13:19:49 CDT

A recent report published by Pew in collaboration with the Public Opinion Strategies and the Mellman Group finds many Americans are not satisfied with some operations taking place at correctional facilities. Many American voters claim too many people are currently incarcerated and the Nation is spending too much money on imprisonment.

Report backs Wisconsin's efforts in diverting offenders from prison

10 May 2012 13:19:49 CDT

Wisconsin's efforts to enhance public safety, divert offenders from prison and reduce recidivism should continue, but the programs need more evaluation to make sure they are the most effective and efficient, according to a newly released report.

Brain structure affected by psychiatric medications

10 May 2012 13:19:49 CDT

It is increasingly recognized that chronic psychotropic drug treatment may lead to structural remodeling of the brain. Indeed, clinical studies in humans present an intriguing picture: antipsychotics, used for the treatment of schizophrenia and psychosis, may contribute to cortical gray matter loss in patients, whereas lithium, used for the treatment of bipolar disorder and mania, may preserve gray matter in patients.

1 in 6 cancers worldwide caused by infections that can be prevented or treated

10 May 2012 13:19:49 CDT

One in every six cancers worldwide is caused by an infection that is preventable or treatable, according to new estimates published in the journal Lancet Oncology. The research indicates infections are attributable for approximately 2 million new cancer cases every year.

Water intoxication and inmates: Signs to watch out for

10 May 2012 13:19:49 CDT

Generally, you can't get too much water. It hydrates cells and provides the basis for the body's waste management and blood production. However, there are times when the hydration mechanism goes haywire and too much water overpowers the normal fluid balance in the body. Although this is rare, over hydration, sometimes called water intoxication, can happen and lead to a cascade of life-threatening conditions. Inmates with chronic mental illnesses, especially schizophrenia, are particularly prone to water intoxication. Be on the look-out for signs of this condition if you work with this inmate population.

Study finds psychopaths have distinct brain structure

10 May 2012 13:19:49 CDT

Scientists who scanned the brains of men convicted of murder, rape and violent assaults have found the strongest evidence yet that psychopaths have structural abnormalities in their brains. The researchers, based at King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, said the differences in psychopaths' brains mark them out even from other violent criminals with anti-social personality disorders (ASPD), and from healthy non-offenders.

Untreated mental illness and substance abuse among inmates increases recidivism rate

10 May 2012 13:19:49 CDT

With the high cost of incarceration — anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 a year depending on the state — the recidivism rate of inmates is a hot topic of discussion. More and more, politicians and law enforcement officials are starting to understand what the medical community has known for a long time: inmates need treatment for substance abuse and for mental health problems if they're going to get out of the system and stay out. When those issues are untreated, the recidivism rate — or rate of return to prison after release — only increases.

Probiotics may help prevent diarrhea: report

10 May 2012 13:19:49 CDT

Taking probiotics on top of a course of antibiotics may help ward off the diarrhea that often comes along with antibiotic treatment, a new review of past studies suggests. When researchers combined trials of all types of the gut-healthy microbes, they found that patients with a range of conditions — from ear infections to sepsis — were 42 percent less likely to get diarrhea from their antibiotic drugs if they were also taking a probiotic.

Are there medications that are inappropriate for use in jails and prisons?

10 May 2012 13:19:49 CDT

All medications have side effects and potential complications. Of course we all know this. Whether to prescribe and what to prescribe should involve a careful weighing of the expected benefits vs. the potential harm for each individual patient.

Obesity could affect 42 percent of Americans by 2030

10 May 2012 13:19:49 CDT

A new forecast on obesity in America has health experts fearing a dramatic jump in health care costs if nothing is done to bring it under control. The projection warns that 42 percent of Americans may end up obese by 2030 (up from 36 percent in 2010), and 11 percent could be severely obese, roughly 100 or more pounds over a healthy weight.