An exhibition in London explores the history of nursing in prisons, highlighting the past inadequacies of training where medical staff had mere months of medical training. It discusses the evolution of nursing from basic first aid to today’s professional standards, including unique working conditions and the treatment of pregnant inmates. The exhibition aims to shed light on both the dark and supportive aspects of prison healthcare, reflecting on the mental health support available for inmates and their expressions of gratitude towards nursing staff.
Considering their reputation for violence and drugs, it's alarming to learn that until fairly recently, if someone fell ill in a prison, the best they might get is someone with a few months of medical training.
The exhibition examines the history of nursing in prisons, from the earliest days to modern times, and how it has evolved from basic first aid to the professional service offered today.
A 1984 recruitment leaflet points out that someone applying to work in the prison service either needed a year's experience as a prison officer, followed by just five months medical training.
The exhibition also looks at how prisons now treat pregnant and new mothers who are sent to jail - because despite the tabloid hangwringing about lenient judges, around 600 pregnant mums will give birth in prison each year.
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