Medical and psychological well being companies inside the jail system: A civil rights challenge | Information, Sports activities, Jobs
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Every day, men, women and children behind bars suffer needlessly from a lack of adequate medical and medical care. Chronic illnesses go untreated, emergencies are ignored, and people with severe mental illnesses do not receive the care they need. For some people, poor medical care turns a small sentence into a death sentence.
Failure to provide prisoners with access to the health care they need too often leads to tragedy. It’s also against the U.S. Constitution. Forty-five years ago, the US Supreme Court ruled in the Estelle v. Gamble that ignoring a prisoner’s serious medical needs can be cruel and unusual punishment “[a]n The inmate must rely on the prison authorities to handle their medical needs. If the authorities fail to do so, these requirements will not be met. In the worst case, such mistakes can actually lead to physical torture or prolonged death[.]… In less severe cases, denial of medical care can lead to pain and suffering that no one suspects would serve a penological purpose. “
The vast majority of people behind bars will one day be released. Caring for prisoners today means having healthier neighbors who will contribute members of their community in the future.
Now it’s your turn! I would like to hear about your experiences and / or concerns about treating people with mental health problems and the lack of medical and / or mental health services while in detention. I can be reached at: [email protected]
Mark Jacobson
Peer support specialist
Winona
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