Issue link: https://nnumagazine.uberflip.com/i/198600
6/7/07 2:57 PM Page 18 guilty of everything from child molestation to drug dealWe're here to do our jobs. We're here to deliver care." Showing gratitude: Inmates During the evening, a guard approaches Upland often thank RN Joey Upland ing to domestic violence and murder. But statistics agree that these are the high-profile sentences. The majoriand says, "There's my favorite nurse. Because you for the diligent care she ty of prisoners are non-violent offenders. According to know what you're doing." provides them by making the Department of Justice, and research done by HuAnd before the end of the night, Upland has made her small crafts. Here, man Rights Watch, nearly three quarters of new adanother friend: a new LVN who has been hired under Upland displays a pair of missions to state prison were convicted of non-violent the receiver's recent mandate to increase staffing baby booties prisoners offenses, and less than half of sentenced state inmates throughout the system. They chat for a while, Upland made out of tightly-folded are currently being held for violent offenses. says, about making good decisions about patient care cigarette boxes for her "A lot of people are fascinated with the criminality instead of bad ones. The LVN listens, then says, "You daughter in the 1970s. of it," says Upland. "I've been saturated with it. I don't know, the more I know about you, the more I like you." Later that evening he says to Upland, "You're not going to let us do spend my time gossiping about their crimes. That's not my job. My anything wrong here, are you?" to which Upland replies earnestly, job is to deliver care." Upland is passionate about prisoners' right to care. "Punish"No. No I am not." Across the state there are people who wonder why Upland, or any ment is a loss of freedom. If you add torture through lack of care, nurse, would choose to care for criminals instead of sick children or justice is not being done. We can't use healthcare as a punishment. It's unconstitutional. expectant mothers. "There's a stigma attached to it," Upland agrees. "Prison reflects our society. Everything goes on here. This is The men Upland cares for are not innocents. They have been proven 18 REGISTERED NURSE W W W. C A L N U R S E S . O R G M AY 2 0 0 7 ERIN FITZGERALD Prisons:3