In this episode of the Locked Up Living podcast, prison nurse Natalie Miller joins hosts Dr Naomi Murphy and David Jones to give an unfiltered look inside the world of UK prison healthcare. Sharing insights from her roles at High Down, Brixton, and Wormwood Scrubs, Natalie opens up about the realities and challenges of providing medical care in prison settings, ranging from understaffed healthcare teams to the daily pressures of emergency response and managing patients with complex needs. The conversation explores vital topics like staff-prisoner relationships, the impact of bureaucracy and double-documentation, working with older and vulnerable prisoners, and the emotional resilience required for this unique nursing role.

Listeners get a front-row seat to stories about advocating for the most forgotten populations, overcoming systemic barriers, and why compassionate, trauma-informed care is critical inside the justice system. Natalie also reflects on how her experiences have shaped her commitment to speaking up for prisoners’ voices, both through her work and her recent TEDx talk. Whether you’re interested in the intersection of healthcare and criminal justice, prison reform, or the human impact of institutional systems, this episode offers a deep, honest conversation packed with insight for healthcare professionals, prison staff, and anyone curious about life and work on the inside.

Takeaways

Natalie fell into nursing during a chaotic time in her life.

Her passion for prison nursing stems from the people she serves.

Building relationships with prison staff is crucial for effective healthcare.

Communication barriers exist due to the unique prison environment.

Bureaucracy can hinder the delivery of quality healthcare in prisons.

Medication management poses significant challenges in prison settings.

The emotional toll of prison nursing can be overwhelming.

Advocacy for prisoners' rights is a key aspect of her role.

Healthcare in prisons is essential for rehabilitation and reintegration.

Maintaining well-being is vital for those working in challenging environments.

Titles

Inside the World of Prison Nursing

The Heart of a Prison Nurse

Sound bites

"It's just about helping them."

"It's a thankless role."

"It's great, we have each other."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nursing Journey

02:44 The Unique Challenges of Prison Nursing

05:35 Experiences in Different Prisons

08:07 Building Relationships in a Prison Environment

10:58 Communication Barriers in Prisons

13:32 Navigating Bureaucracy in Prison Healthcare

16:22 Medication Management Challenges

19:05 Coping with Chaos in Crisis Situations

21:56 The Importance of Compassion in Care

24:45 Advocating for Prisoners' Rights

27:29 The Role of Healthcare Staff in Rehabilitation

30:02 Maintaining Well-Being in a Demanding Role

32:50 Future Improvements in Prison Healthcare