In correctional healthcare, nurses serve one of the most diverse and medically complex patient populations in the nation. Incarcerated individuals often come from marginalized communities, have histories of trauma, and present with a wide range of medical, psychiatric, and substance use disorders. As correctional nurses, our ethical mandate is to provide care that is safe, effective, and equitable—regardless of a patient’s background or offense.

Yet, like all humans, nurses are subject to implicit bias—automatic, unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that influence our understanding, actions, and decisions. In healthcare, these biases can subtly affect patient assessments, treatment plans, communication, and even empathy. In the correctional setting, where security considerations and custody culture already shape interactions, unchecked bias can compound disparities and erode trust.

This class will review the definition of implicit bias and its importance in correctional healthcare; identify common forms of bias that can influence nursing care in corrections and provide evidence-based strategies to recognize and mitigate implicit bias in our daily nursing practices.