Jailers at the Bedside: Ethical Conflicts in Provision of Community Hospital Care for Incarcerated Individuals

Abstract

Incarcerated individuals in the United States are frequently transferred to hospitals in the community setting for specialized medical care beyond the capability of on-site facilities. Despite the widespread prevalence of this practice, hospitals set their own policies for the care of these vulnerable patients, which are often in conflict with broadly accepted principles of medical ethics. This article explores common practices of community hospitals in caring for incarcerated individuals and argues for the need for further research and, ultimately, reform in this neglected area.