NaphCare Perspectives: What is Correctional Healthcare?

Correctional healthcare plays a crucial role in American communities, yet it remains widely misunderstood or largely unknown to many people.

Defined simply, correctional healthcare is the delivery of health care within jails and prisons to individuals who are incarcerated. Correctional healthcare provides a full spectrum of medical and mental health care and support, which includes primary care, acute and emergent care, preventive care, specialty services, behavioral health care, substance use treatment, medications, and dental care.

However, correctional healthcare goes beyond that - it is an extension of community healthcare and public health services. NaphCare’s mission is to improve and save lives. We aim to improve the health of the patients in our care and prepare them for a healthy return to their community. This dual responsibility makes correctional healthcare both uniquely challenging and deeply impactful.

Donna Dowling is a certified Nurse Practitioner who holds a master's degree in nursing. She has devoted her entire career to the practice of correctional healthcare. She offers a valuable and insightful perspective of the field and the benefits it offers to patients, communities, and those who join our correctional healthcare team. 

Tell us about your background and experience in correctional healthcare? 

I began my career in correctional healthcare right after graduating from my undergraduate program. I came across a night nurse position with the Florida Department of Corrections (DOC) and thought it looked interesting, so I applied – and fortunately got the job. Over time, I moved into other roles within the Florida DOC, including Regional TB Nurse, RN Supervisor, and Health Services Administrator (HSA). After serving as an HSA for several years, I decided it was time to advance my training and returned to school to become a Nurse Practitioner. Once licensed, I chose to remain in correctional healthcare.

"I wish everyone understood the profound impact of working in correctional healthcare. It offers a unique opportunity to expand your clinical skills quickly while making a real difference in the lives of a population that has often been overlooked or underserved." 

In 2012, I saw a job advertisement for a company I hadn’t heard of before – NaphCare. I joined NaphCare when it was a smaller company with only 10 jail partners. During my time at NaphCare, I have had the opportunity to work in many roles that contribute to the effectiveness of our healthcare services including, quality assurance, utilization management, staff training, policy development, and clinical operations. 

I recently entered the role of Chief Operating Officer for State Government, providing leadership and guidance to our healthcare teams working in state prison facilities. 

What is the place of correctional healthcare in the larger scope of healthcare?

Many individuals who enter the correctional system have had limited or no access to medical or mental health care in their communities. For some, incarceration is the first time they are diagnosed with health or mental health conditions or begin to learn how to manage their own care. Therefore, the opportunity to positively impact and even save lives is huge. The treatment and education we provide during their time of incarceration can have a lasting impact, shaping their attitudes and behaviors toward health and wellness as they transition back into the community.

How does correctional healthcare impact the community?

The majority of individuals who are incarcerated will eventually return to their communities. The care we provide plays a vital role in helping them re-enter society with improved physical and mental health. In many cases, we’ve stabilized—or even resolved—chronic health conditions that had gone untreated for years. Effective treatment of mental health and substance use disorders is strongly linked to reduced recidivism, ultimately contributing to safer and healthier communities for everyone.

How does working in correctional healthcare compare to other healthcare jobs?

Working in correctional healthcare offers a unique opportunity to encounter a broader spectrum of medical and mental health conditions than is typically seen in traditional healthcare settings. It’s an ideal environment for professional growth, as our patients often present with higher rates of chronic illness, infectious diseases, trauma, mental health disorders, and substance use disorders. The complexity and diversity of these cases make correctional healthcare both challenging and deeply rewarding for clinicians seeking to expand their skills.

What do you wish people understood about correctional healthcare?

As an industry, I want people to understand that correctional healthcare companies provide a very structured healthcare delivery system that is governed by laws, policies and procedures, and standards of care. We are not winging it, and we are not trying to cut corners. 

Some may criticize the privatized model of care, but I think it’s important to understand that private companies are highly scrutinized and closely monitored. As an independent correctional healthcare company, NaphCare has established our model of care aligned with the highest industry standards. This ensures that our patients are receiving a community standard of care within the prison or jail.

NaphCare operates in line with not only local and state regulations, but also with the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) – the only national organization dedicated entirely to improving correctional healthcare quality. We’re proud that NaphCare’s standards of care reflect NCCHC’s high standards, and we work with our partners to achieve NCCHC accreditation in their facilities as a clear sign of safe, quality care. 

In addition, we are accountable to our partners and the requirements of our contracts to ensure we are meeting, or exceeding, their expectations. We are always working to earn the trust of our partners and their communities in order to continue the work we are devoted to providing. 

What do you wish people understood about working in correctional healthcare?

I wish everyone understood the profound impact of working in correctional healthcare. It offers a unique opportunity to expand your clinical skills quickly while making a real difference in the lives of a population that has often been overlooked or underserved. You will experience every aspect of care and see things you may not experience elsewhere. There is never a dull moment. And the patients treat healthcare staff with respect and appreciate that we’re there to help them. In my 30th year in correctional healthcare, I can’t imagine a more rewarding or fulfilling career path.

What is the most promising thing happening in correctional healthcare right now?

I have been truly impressed by the impact technology has had on healthcare delivery in corrections. NaphCare has always been a leader in innovation, and it’s exciting to see how our digital platforms continue to expand. These advancements not only help us bridge patient care across multiple facilities, but also connect services between the correctional facility and the community. I’m eager to see how far we can go as we further explore data integration, predictive analytics, and AI to enhance outcomes and efficiency.

Donna Dowling, MSN, ARNP-C, is the Chief Operating Officer for State Government at NaphCare. She has 30 years of correctional healthcare experience, providing hands-on care within correctional facilities and elevating to clinical and administrative leadership roles.