Raising the Bar: Managing Diabetes in the Prison Setting

Objective: Provide educational material and training on diabetes management for prison medical staff and inmates with diabetes.  

Methods: The New York State Department of Health Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP) consulted with the Chief Medical Officer of the New York State Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) and a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) with expertise in the care of prisoners with diabetes to determine the educational needs of prison medical staff and inmates with diabetes.  The DPCP contracted with the CDE to provide diabetes training for medical professionals in the DOCS facilities.  The DPCP also printed and distributed a manual entitled “Prisoner Diabetes Handbook, A Guide to Managing Diabetes - for Prisoners, by Prisoners” to medical staff for distribution in prison facilities.  

Results:A live broadcast on diabetes management was conducted at one prison training facility and televised to 21 other sites in New York State.  The DPCP also distributed a total of 1000 manuals to medical staff at100 New York State Department of Corrections prison facilities.

Conclusion:Providing both on-site and teleconference training and distributing diabetes educational materials are effective methods of enhancing diabetes management skills for prison medical staff and inmates.