When inmates are taking medication, what should staff pay attention to?

When inmates are taking medication, staff should pay attention to whether the pills were swallowed, as this is critical for ensuring the effectiveness of the treatment. Checking the inmate’s mouth is a standard practice to prevent medication misuse, such as spitting out the pills to hide them or sharing them with other inmates. This process helps maintain the integrity of the medication administration and ensures that inmates receive their prescribed treatments as intended.

Monitoring compliance in this manner is essential for both the health of the individual inmate and the overall safety and security of the facility, as unmonitored access to medication can lead to various security issues, including substance abuse and health emergencies among inmates.