Correctional Health Care: Local, Regional and International Collaborations

Purpose: The purpose of this presentation is to describe the nursing activities of building capacity and networks in Correctional Care and Criminal Justice.  This will be illustrated by describing programs and activities completed in local, regional and international settings.  

Methods: Qualitative descriptions of both fieldwork and quantitative outcomes of research studies will be used as exemplars of correctional nursing capacity building and interprofessional collaboration.  Outcomes of participation in professional networks include research study summaries. 

Results: Interprofessional collaboration takes many forms:  forming consortia, joining enters of excellence and volunteering.  Outcomes include expanding the knowledge base of the role of correctional nursing through publications, presentations and teaching. 

Conclusion: Capacity building takes time, investment and commitment to a common goal.  Mutual respect and buy-in are a direct result of dedicated relationship building across the long term.  Development of new knowledge in correctional care relies on building interprofessional networks locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.