Introduction/background: Recent research results have shown that nursing practice in correctional psychiatric settings is difficult, since institutional functioning and correctional culture threaten fundamental socioprofessional standards of care. Objectives: The aim of this paper is to present the results of a research study conducted in a Canadian correctional facility between 2006 and 2009 with nurses providing psychiatric care. Results: This research highlights the challenges faced by the nursing staff, who see their professional practice constrained by correctional prerogatives. Discussion/conclusion: we believe that the results of our research are of great importance if we wish to understand the specificities of this complex field of nursing.