The Role of Nursing Management in Prison Healthcare: Balancing Patient Care, Security and Human Rights Standards

Abstract Book of the 10th International Conference on Business, Management and Finance

Year: 2026

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The Role of Nursing Management in Prison Healthcare: Balancing Patient Care, Security and Human Rights Standards

Jelena Jurisic

ABSTRACT:

Correctional healthcare is a demanding public sector environment in which clinical care, institutional security, ethical responsibility, and human rights standards must be coordinated in everyday practice. Nurses have a central operational role in triage, medication management, monitoring of chronic conditions, response to acute health needs, health education, documentation and communication with physicians and security staff. This paper studies how nursing management can support safe, ethical and high-quality healthcare delivery within custodial settings. The aim is to analyze key organizational challenges related to patient safety, professional autonomy, confidentiality, continuity of care, staff safety and interdisciplinary cooperation. The paper is designed as a conceptual analysis supported by healthcare quality management principles and relevant international standards on the treatment of persons deprived of liberty. Particular attention is given to the importance of transparent protocols, risk management, continuous career education and cooperation connecting healthcare and correctional services. The paper argues that nursing management is key for maintaining quality of care in correctional institutions and for protecting both institutional responsibility and the fundamental rights and dignity of patients.

Keywords: Prison Healthcare; Nursing Management; Correctional Institutions; Patient Safety; Human Rights; Public Sector Management; Risk Management