Posted on 12/24/2006 8:22:34 AM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Treatment errors and other breakdowns in medical care have contributed to the deaths of at least 14 inmates in the nation's largest county jail system since 1999, a newspaper reported Sunday.
The jail system lacks enough doctors, nurses and other medical workers, resulting in long delays in treatment for conditions ranging from hernias to heart disease, an investigation by the Los Angeles Times found.
Inmates have waited weeks for exams they were supposed to receive within 24 hours of making a request, the newspaper said.
Officials acknowledge that 20 percent of inmates who ask to see a doctor are released from jail without ever being examined, according to the Times.
Jody Kent, a court-sanctioned monitor who for three years walked the county's cellblocks documenting complaints for the American Civil Liberties Union, said inmates showed her gaping wounds from infections, broken bones and bulging hernias.
``I basically saw grown men crying because they were in such pain,'' Kent said.
Sheriff's Lt. Stephen Smith, who oversees the jail system's medical services bureau, said treating prisoners is difficult because some conceal a medical condition while others feign illness or are mentally ill.
``We face unique challenges, and we do the best we can,'' Smith said. ``These are difficult, angry, messed-up people. We try to treat people with the respect, not that they necessarily deserve, but that human decency demands.''
A large problem is understaffing.
In a confidential 2004 report, a consultant said an additional 720 jail medical workers were needed to meet minimum state treatment standards. At the time, the work force stood at about 980.
``The county incurs significant liability for continuing a system of care that clearly is not working,'' the consultant said in the report to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Spurred by those findings, officials began to bolster the ranks of doctors and nurses, but several hundred medical workers are still lacking.
An average of 200,000 people enter the county jails each year. On most nights, the population hovers around 18,000, with more than a third requiring medical care.
The county sheriff's department, which runs the jails, is required by law to provide basic medical care to all inmates.
When inmates are booked, they are questioned to determine if they are physically or mentally ill. About half require additional screening or treatment before being assigned to a cell.
If inmates later develop medical problems, there are daily ``sick calls'' in which they can sign up to see a nurse.
The volume of inmates, coupled with a shortage of doctors and nurses, has resulted in a backlog of hundreds of inmates waiting to be examined.
``I could have every doctor in the county of Los Angeles here, and it still wouldn't be enough,'' said Sander Peck, chief physician in the jail system. ``I don't know what 'enough' would be.''
you do get free cable...but yes, being in jail does have a few downsides...
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't a significant percentage of the inmates in California prisons comprised of illegal immigrants? Logic follows that if we deport them instead of incarcerating them, then would we have enough doctors, nurses, and facilities to deal with the rest of the inmates.
I didn't go to medical school to throw away my training and skills treating rapists, murderers, child molesters, and gangbangers who - in a civilized society - would have been hung in the town square at noon and therefore wouldn't need medical treatment to begin with.
Boo-hoo. I wonder how long these same convicts would have waited if they were on the outside, since none of them would have had paid for a health care plan, unless there is a group plan for thiefs, drug dealers,and murderers.
This is a good example of how "free" healthcare will work outside of prison in the general public, however.
"LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Treatment errors and other breakdowns in medical care have contributed to the deaths of at least 14 inmates in the nation's largest county jail system since 1999, a newspaper reported Sunday."
To which I would reply; Jimmy crack corn, and I don't care...
No, they'll just be back in the emergency room of a California hospital in a day or two, probably along with their wives who'll be giving birth to new American citizens.
Want some cheese with that whine,boo f`n hoo. Only 14 died gotta try harder.
Don't forget drunken morons. Whiskey-soaked losers racing around at double the speed limit, destroying families, and then getting a slap on the wrist because they have "a problem". Save some room on the gallows for anyone who can't walk a straight line, and you will see our nation's average BAC drop in a hurry!
You're not in prison to be mollycoddled; you're in there to get raped.
Well if you get life in prison then wtf do you need health care for just die already
I have an idea. If you behave in LA County you have nothing to worry about. If you are robbing, raping, murdering thug, you'll get your comeuppance and it won't be comfortable.
Let's try that for a while.
What about their victims Kent. Did any of them cry?
But, what a concept... get arrested, get free medical treatment...
Sure that's because innocent people are never arrested.
...and that mentality is why crime is out of control in our society. The most vile creeps live for years on death row because of one group's standard of "might be innocent".
The inmates' "basic needs" as defined by the civil liberties people probably exceeds my family's needs.
Under HillaryCare, if they're not in jail they will be sitting next to you in your doctor's office demanding care - along with all the hordes of illegal aliens with sniffles and sore throats. Then we'll all get the same wonderful care.
On the bright side, there will be more available jobs as there will be a need for armed guards in Dr Smith's waiting room.
Free dental, free optamologists, free pedicures, fre haircuts- heck- free everythign, all while their victims lives have been ruined- Yup- I'm feeling real bad for these freaks in prison whining about not getting in to see the doc everyutime they get a paper cut or ingrown toenail! http://sacredscoop.com
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