CorrectCare

The Health Benefits of Going Green in Corrections
By Heidi Bale RN, CEN, CCHP

When you think of the “green” movement, does the Pacific Northwest come to mind? I will bet that verdant forests, sparkling water, tree-hugging environmentalists and solar power dance through your thoughts. Now picture this: A green correctional institution, work camp or prerelease facility. “No way!” you say? Way.

Experience has shown us that exposure to environmental toxins produces illness, birth defects and learning deficits. Asthma, allergies, headaches, sick building syndrome, cancer and hormone disruption are among the diagnoses that are surfacing in our children, family, friends and co-workers. This exposure comes from everyday substances in our environments.

The motivation for Washington State to move toward a more sustainable, green state came from former governor Gary Locke. In 2002 he issued Executive Order 02-03, which directed that all state agencies would strive for environmental sustainability. We set goals to reduce dependence on nonrenewable energy sources, reduce potable water use, reduce the use of toxic materials, reduce waste and increase the sustainability of our facilities.

DOC Gets Onboard
Over the last three years the Washington State Department of Corrections has established baseline data, developed programs to address the goals and implemented them throughout our prison system.

Initial programs included switching to office paper with a higher percentage of postconsumer recycled content, purchasing fleet vehicles that use alternative fuel sources and installing amalgam separators in our dental clinics.

Nevertheless, the corrections environment did not lend itself easily to sustainability. Roadblocks included security concerns, possible disruption of institutional routines and staff resistance. During the first few months, our sustainability teams struggled to find ways to transform current practices into greener ones. “Pick the low hanging fruit” was a motto advised by Coyote Ridge Correctional Center superintendent Scott Frakes.

With that in mind, the facilities began to incorporate small changes to their environment. For example, it became part of our daily routine to turn off the lights and print on both sides of copy paper. We also switched to more efficient fluorescent lighting, examined the “facilities” (toilets, faucets and showers heads) for low-flow water volume and monitored hot water use.

Institutions even began to collect rain water, compost their grass and food waste, and install Energy Star appliances. The correctional industries programs at two facilities have found a less-toxic alternative to barium-based paint for their metal furniture. Some facilities also formed partnerships with local and regional networks.

Today, the Washington State DOC has the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified correctional buildings in the country—a warehouse and a training center—and housing units are soon to follow. The DOC headquarters are also in a LEED-certified building.

Healthier Habitat
I know what you’re thinking: How does this make staff and inmates healthier? The physical environment, our habitat, if you will, is the most important determinant of human health. By “greening” our habitat, whether it be home or work, we decrease the amount of toxins and pollutants that are ingested, inhaled and absorbed into our bodies.

By improving ventilation we reduce mold and mildew growth and thus improve air quality. There is a decrease in colds, allergies, asthma exacerbation and respiratory illnesses (and less use of sick days!).

Use of biodiesel, a fuel made from plant and animal oils, is an excellent choice. The exhausts from biodiesel are much less toxic than traditional fuels, which is a bonus for staff who work with machinery and vehicles during their shift. Also, skin irritation from exposure is less than a 4% soap and water solution. Compared to biodiesel, sodium chloride is nearly 10 times more toxic orally.

On the grounds of the facility, push reel mowers used by inmates for cutting grass have no fuel or exhaust, provide great exercise and have less risk of injury to the worker.

Organic gardens produce fresh produce on-site for use in the facility kitchen, use no herbicides or pesticides and provide inmates with both emotional and social benefits from working with living plants and organisms.

Green buildings incorporate maximized day-lighting and natural views. Studies have shown that patients and workers viewing green fields, trees, plants and animals rather than a brick wall or courtyard have lower rates of illness, depression, pain and anxiety medication needs, and mortality. Outside views also increase worker productivity and reduce perceived stress.

In addition to the overall health benefits of reducing stress and agitation among both staff and inmates, it leads to a calmer institution and increased productivity for all.

Not to be overlooked: When inmates perform the jobs generated by recycling programs, gardening, composting and grounds work, it builds self-esteem and instills marketable skills they can use upon release.

Room for Improvement
I would like to offer some ideas on areas where I think we can improve in the correctional health care arena.

Health care units use equipment that contains mercury (thermometers, sphygmomanometers) and other toxic chemicals. Their replacement and disposal should be carefully managed.

Incinerating medical waste releases thousands of toxins into the air and water. Intravenous bags, catheters, tubing, instruments and biohazardous waste are incinerated by facilities daily. Please check with your removal service to determine if it practices environmentally safe means of disposing of your waste.

What happens to all those prescription medications that are thrown away or “wasted” in the sink or trash? There are state and federal regulations regarding the disposal of pharmaceuticals, and your department pharmacy staff can help you develop the proper procedures.

Those extracted teeth with fillings cannot be disposed of in the usual “hot trash.” The amalgams are considered hazardous waste. By installing amalgam separators, the mercury is prevented from entering the wastewater.

Do you know where your x-ray chemicals are going? The disposal and management of these chemicals leads to a good argument for digital films.

You Can Do It
How can you recruit staff to become involved in making your facility greener? Limited staff time presents a constant challenge to implementing sustainability programs. The scope of the mandate is huge, staff is pulled in many directions and the objectives are secondary to most people’s jobs.

But, as our experience shows, it can be done. Start by create sustainability teams or committees. Place a bulletin board or display in a prominent area of public access and staff areas. Include “green” articles in your facility newsletters and memos. Invite and involve the inmates—after all, they live there!

 I will leave you with this quote by Joanna Macy: “If the world is to be healed…it will be by people who can open to the web of life that called us into being…”

 — About the author: Heidi Bale, RN, CEN, CCHP, is a nurse based at the Washington State Department of Correction headquarters in Olympia. She gave a presentation on this subject at the 2006 National Conference on Correctional Health Care.

[This article first appeared in the Spring 2007 issue of CorrectCare.]