Jail Work Appeals to Some Nurses

by Evelyn Boswell

04/17/00 BOZEMAN -- Why would a nurse want to examine patients who are so likely to become rude or violent that a guard stands outside the examining room?

What’s the attraction of working in a windowless office where patients are locked in the waiting room?

Why would nurses want to work in a place where they need fragrant candles and an "incredible" sense of humor to ease the tension?

In other words, why would a nurse want to work in a prison?

In the case of nurses at the Cascade County Adult Detention Center, they have a variety of reasons.

"It’s exciting and challenging. You get to use all your nursing skills," said Deb Christofferson, a graduate of the Montana State University-Bozeman College of Nursing. She worked in long-term care before switching to the detention center.

"I really like it here," added Donna Benedict, a full-time mom and student who enjoys the flexibility, independence and teamwork she finds as a prison nurse. Benedict is a senior at the MSU-Bozeman College of Nursing in Great Falls.

Sharon Howard says she enjoys the Cascade County Adult Detention Center because the nurses designed their work area, and they are the ones who manage it. They also treat each other "very well" to compensate for the stress they feel. Howard is adjunct assistant professor of nursing at the MSU-Bozeman College of Nursing in Great Falls, and Health Services Director at the detention center.

The nurses admitted to being afraid at times, but said they rely on support from each other and the detention officers who protect them.

"We have a really good rapport with the detention officers. We know they are there for us," Christofferson said.

Officers who are assigned to the patients have control of the environment and tolerate no disrespect to the health care staff, Howard added.

Send questions or comments (plus your name, location and the subject of the story you read) to us at evelynb@montana.edu.

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