Prisoners in general hospitals: doctors' attitudes and practice

EDITOR—Research into professional conduct towards prisoners being assessed and treated in general hospitals, as opposed to prison settings and psychiatric services,1 2 is lacking. This hospital is near a large prison, and we noted that prisoners were frequently assessed while chained to prison officers. Guidelines from the BMA recommend examination and treatment without restraints, and without prison officers present, unless the risk of escape is high or the prisoner is a threat to himself or herself, the heae team, or others.3 Healthcare teams and prison officers should …