Mistreatment of an inmate?
This Question is about my uncle. He is an inmate at a county Jail in Pennsylvania.For something very simple. Not murder or anything.lol. One day while on work release he developed a hernia. He told the boss about it, the driver that takes the inmates back and forth, and he sent word to the warden that he was hurt and needed medical care. THe next day he got to see the doctor at the jail and the doctor said he will need surgery. Instead of being transported to the hospital, he was sent back to his cell for the entire next week to lay in severe pain. A guard checked on him once and brought him 1 tylenol throughout that entire week. Finally he demanded to be taken to the hospital. The warden made him sign a furlough to be released and sat him outside behind the jail in the cold rain to wait for his sister to pick him up. To my knowledge they have to transport you to the hospital and have a guard there also while your a patient. They messed up by letting him lay there. And we are trying to figure out how to make them pay for their mistakes.This jail in particular is notorious for inmate mistreatment. Im not sure if anyone will be able to help me but its worth a shot. My question is, is it against the law the way they treated my uncle when he was in need of medical attention. Ive tried contacting several lawyers and got no response back. I know it would be a huge chance for a lawyer to go against a county jail but I want justice for him and other inmates who are mistreated. Can anybody help me learn the laws and the route I need to take???
By the way Mad Mama.He is in for child support for a child he recently found out wasnt his. But since he claimed the child as his ,his name is on the birth certificate and she is now 13 years old. And the mother will not drop back support owed. He is a very kind man and doesnt deserve to be where he is. So thats ok..I dont need your sympathy.I came here looking for answers and help. If your just going to put people down, why have an account here?? And a hernia, if left untreated strangulates the intestine,killing the tissue, and can cause gangrene. So yes it could be life threatening.
If what you say is true then yes the county jail failed in it’s responsibility to adequately care for your uncle. I don’t know if a hernia is a life threatening illness or not, but it would be adequate for your uncle to be returned to his cell until he can be transported to the hospital.
I find it hard to believe that they would make him agree to a furlough and wait to be picked up by a relative. If he is the custody of the county then it’s their responsibility to transport him to the hospital, and yes I surmise they would have to provide an officer to stay with him ( I work at the state level) and transport him back.
Is it illegal, yes. If you can’t find an attorney in your area try an attorney in another county. Perhaps you can call the ACLU and ask them fro advice. Best of luck.
A hernia is hardly life threatening. Perhaps your uncle should stop breaking the law – then he would be free to pursue medical care on his own. No sympathy.
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I am in NC and have the same issue with a prison here. You may have to go through your states legal aid for inmates. Its been a struggle for my family as well. You might want to consider writing the governor, S.B.I, and the local news. It seems the only way to get anything done is to make a BIG stink about it! Good Luck!
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I know in this state that if you are an inmate and in the county’s possession as an inmate they have to treat you and pay for the treatment it is just the way it works. They do not release you to anyone , they can’t you are a warden of the state.(Or county)
If he is on work release then he is still in their care care as well.
I suggest you contact an attorney some one with the knowledge or background in such cases
This is going to be a tough call and unless you have the know how or some one who does you are probably fighting a lost cause.
Some people think because you done wrong and are an inmate then you get what you deserve, this is the 21st century and things have changed.
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Perhaps your uncle should get in touch with a prisoners rights advocacy group: http://www.aclu.org/prisoners-rights
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If what you say is true then yes the county jail failed in it’s responsibility to adequately care for your uncle. I don’t know if a hernia is a life threatening illness or not, but it would be adequate for your uncle to be returned to his cell until he can be transported to the hospital.
I find it hard to believe that they would make him agree to a furlough and wait to be picked up by a relative. If he is the custody of the county then it’s their responsibility to transport him to the hospital, and yes I surmise they would have to provide an officer to stay with him ( I work at the state level) and transport him back.
Is it illegal, yes. If you can’t find an attorney in your area try an attorney in another county. Perhaps you can call the ACLU and ask them fro advice. Best of luck.
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corrections officer at a maximum security facility