Nursing with prisoners: The practice of caring, forensic nursing or penal harm nursing?

The number of incarcerated persons in the United States has been increasing dramatically over the last two decades. Incarcerated men and women have in creased rates of serious and chronic physical and mental illnesses and ther efore require substantial health care efforts. Caring for prisoners is a di fficult and often unrewarding experience for health care providers, particu larly within a social climate that encourages noncaring behaviors. This art icle critically analyzes three philosophic stances toward nursing care with prisoners and suggests their philosophic commensurability within tradition al nursing practice. Implications for nursing practice, research, and educa tion are discussed.