Comments on: Inmates Being Trained as CNA’s

By: Frances Shani Parker

Frances Shani Parker — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 16:50:18 +0000

With all the negatives that can result from training inmates as CNA’s in nursing homes, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the positive aspects of inmate training for hospice care in prisons. These inmate volunteers provide comfort that may be missing in the lives of some prisoners, especially those who no longer have attentive relationships beyond prison walls. Many serving life sentences, including some volunteers, know they will die in confinement. Nurturing support given by familiar faces of those who have also experienced the prison system can enhance prisoners’ quality of life during the dying process. This video titled “Will Anybody Cry When I Die?” shows hospice inmates helping a fellow prisoner during his end-of-life journey at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, Louisiana. Later, they prepare and honor him with a death ritual. Watching this video, you might find yourself feeling distant from the negativity commonly associated with prison life. Frances Shani Parker, Author "Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes”

By: Cole

Cole — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:21:32 +0000

This is setting them up for failure. They can’t be hired by any facility that accepts Medicare/Medicaid funding. So where can they work? Even in a private home, the sponsoring agencies are paid privately, or by M’Caid/M’Care. Also, most private health insurance organizations adopt the federal guidelines for providing services to M’Care/M’Caid populations. This was and is a bad idea. Their self esteem will be trashed when they come out with a certificate that can’t get them a job.

By: Patti

Patti — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 02:28:11 +0000

Cheryl you bring up an excellent point: Our own safety. I never would have thought of that.

By: Patti

Patti — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 02:25:14 +0000

Wow thank you all for the feedback!

Linda, I think you are right. These folks could be the sweetest and best intentioned in the world but honestly what facility will hire them?? It seems to me they could have really researched this much better.

By: Holly

Holly — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:59:50 +0000

I think this is big mistake. Our work is hard, it’s dirty, it’s rough sometimes. We need patience and compassion. By default, in my opinion, criminals just don’t have these values. I don’t mean to sterotype them all- but let’s be honest here. WOULD YOU WANT AN X CONVICT TAKING CARE OF YOU if you were incapacitated? Would you feel vulnerable? Scared? nervous? I would.

I also agree with Cheryl’s comment: These people would make me think twice about turning my back if they were my co workers.

I say: Let them prove themselves elsewhere away from health care. Let’s not keep dragging the pool of applicants further down the gutter. We want to be recognized as professionals! Not criminals!

By: Dawn

Dawn — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:20:46 +0000

Good intentions gone in the wrong direction. Besides, what state is Montville? The states I have worked in require extensive criminal history checks. Criminal? No healthcare job for you…
Great article..what an eye opener…

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:03:07 +0000

I think it’s horrible to even consider this! We don’t need theives and murderers and thugs- convicted, time served and all, to be taking care of our most vulnerable people. The risk is too high that they might harm. Not to mention how it would make me feel…my own personal safety would feel threatened; I could never work comfortably. This work needs to attract GOOD people who WANT to be part of healthcare- not GOOD people who have committed crimes, got caught up, and are now being pushed into working as part of their transition back to the community. CNA work is not giving back to anyone; it’s special work and only special people can do it.

By: Frances Shani Parker

Frances Shani Parker — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 01:00:56 +0000

The nursing home population is too vulnerable for former prisoners with certain criminal records. Many residents are fragile physically and mentally. The concern regarding actual nursing home crimes by registered sex offenders at both staff and patient levels in nursing homes across the country has escalated to the point where Oklahoma is the first state to require that registered sex offenders (as residents) be assigned to separate nursing homes from the general population. It’s worrisome enough just knowing that there are former prisoners with dangerous criminal records in nursing homes right now as patients.

Due to so many staff shortages, the healthcare field has many opportunities for job seekers, but jobs should be explored where former prisoners can work in jobs such as dentistry, dietetics, exercise, veterinarian technologist, etc. Many more jobs exist outside the healthcare arena.

By: Dr. Linda Stricklin

Dr. Linda Stricklin — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:26:41 +0000

My concern would be that they would not be able to get a job once they leave the facility. There are facilities with rules that would prevent hiring a person with a certain criminal background. There may be other more appropriate training programs for inmates with convictions that would prevent them working in health care with vulnerable consumers.