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This site is to collect information to assist the families and friends of mentally ill /mentally challenged inmates in Lee County Florida. Contact with the writers of recent articles such as “Keeping the Mentally Ill out of Jail” (Burton, 2009) brought referrals to the numerous agencies currently working in the difficult and overwhelming field of providing medical care to thousands of inmates. This comes as research and review of Lee County contracts, regulatory policies, and applicable news feeds to administrative policies to bring awareness and understanding of state-specific requirements and policies for the Lee County / Prison Health Services.
Burton, C. (2009, July 3). Keeping the mentally ill out of jail. Retrieved July 8, 2009, from Lehigh Acres Citizen.com: http://www.lehighacrescitizen.com/page/content.detail/id/501846/Keeping-the-mentally-ill-out-of-jail.html?nav=5100

Monday, November 2, 2009

Interim Guidance for Correctional and Detention Facilities on Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/correctional_facilities.htm
"This document provides interim guidance specific for correctional facilities during the outbreak of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus to ensure continuation of essential public services and protection of the health and safety of inmates, staff and visitors. Recommendations may need to be revised as more information becomes available.
Background
Correctional institutions pose special risks and considerations due to the nature of their unique environment. Inmates are in mandatory custody and options are limited for isolation and removal of ill persons from the environment. The workforce must be maintained and options are limited for work alternatives (e.g., work from home, reduced or alternate schedules, etc.). In addition, many inmates and workforce may have medical conditions that increase their risk of influenza-related complications. The focus of this guidance is on general preventive measures for institutions, risk reduction of introduction of the virus into institutions, rapid detection of persons with novel influenza A (H1N1) infections, and management and isolation of identified cases. In this document, institution refers to staff, inmates, and visitors. Correctional facilities should contact and collaborate with their state, local, tribal and territorial health departments for more specific guidance."

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