Alexandre, your discussion post sparked my interest in the medical care
opportunities that inmates have, and I believe medical care is essential for
the successful rehabilitation of an offender. In order for specific programs to
work, they need to be aligned with the medical characteristics of an
individual and allow for certain accommodations. For example, educational
opportunities are great for individuals who are willing and able to participate,
but offenders who have disabilities that limit their opportunity to receive
education should receive additional support. In order for an educational
program to be effective, trained staff should be hired who are able to teach
through sign language or have bi-lingual skills. Regarding general medical
care, some prison systems partner with academic medical centers that allow
medical students to tend to the needs of inmates. While there is some
controversy and risk with this practice, offenders may have the opportunity
to receive medical evaluations earlier than usual wait times. However, this
implementation should be supervised by licensed medical staff in order for
patients to receive a reliable and trustworthy evaluation. From a biblical
perspective, these practices from students and practitioners should not be in
place for worldly glorification, but rather for the wellbeing of others in their
service to God. Colossians 3:23 states, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as
for the Lord and not for men” (English Standard Version, 2001).
References
English Standard Version Bible
. (Original publication date, 2001). Crossway
Bibles.
Hashmi, A. H., Bennett, A. M., Tajuddin, N. N., Hester, R. J., & Glenn, J. E.
(2021). Qualitative
exploration of the medical learner’s journey into correctional health care at
an academic medical center and its implications for medical
education.
Advances in Health Sciences Education, 26
(2), 489-511.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-020-09997-4
