Refusing Carceral Collaborations

Ideas for Health Care Workers

By Roberto Sirvent for the Beyond Do No Harm Network

Health care workers are placed in many situations where their loyalty to their patient is in conflict with their (purported) loyalty to the state. And while some legal protections are in place to protect health care workers who refuse to engage in these carceral collaborations, it is often unclear when and where a worker is protected.

We have curated a short collection of examples of health care workers and groups who have fought back — and continue to fight back — within and against carceral facilities. Our hope is that these examples might provide inspiration for health care workers and move them to similar action.

Visit the Beyond Do No Harm Network for more resources, upcoming opportunities and events, and to get connected to other health care workers committed to addressing and interrupting harm in health care settings.