Patterns of traumatic injury in New York City prisoners requiring hospital admission.

Bellevue Hospital's prison ward cares for male prisoners requiring medical attention that exceeds the capabilities of New York City Department of Correction (NYC-DOC) infirmaries. This study evaluated the injury patterns that occur in this patient population. Data were collected on consecutive prisoners transferred from NYC-DOC for traumatic injuries from June 1, 2003, to June 1, 2006, and analyzed by retrospective chart review. Overall, 251 patients were evaluated for traumatic injuries. Injury mechanisms were violent (75.7%), nonviolent (23.5%), and self-inflicted (0.8%). Of the 241 (96%) patients admitted, 213 (84.9%) required operative intervention. The most common injuries were mandible fractures (46.5%) and facial fractures (14.9%).