[karbyr]

Did anyone see the "Sixty Minutes" episode about the Michigan DOC and treatment of mentally ill prisoners? Any comments? Patients die, they fire the individual nurse and refuse to deal with a management structure that is totally unaccountable. So now the MDOC is under federal investigation. Any thoughts?

[Spidey's mom]

I saw it - was wondering about restraint policy (q 15 minute checks? Remove restraints q2h? It wasn't very specific). Also, even if he refused water, he should have been given IV fluids.

Lots left out of the story I'm sure . . .but it was pretty appalling from a nurse standpoint.

steph

[CHATSDALE]

i wish i had seen it..
cooperate with the authories that are investigating i hope that they will make a difference

[karbyr]

policy is every two hours removal. There is no real ability to check q 15 minutes, so would be foolish to write policy that way. He should have been treated, period, which he wasn't. IV fluids yes, but just plain attention would have sufficed and probably prevented his death

[nurseT]

I did not see the episode of 60 minutes. I wish I had. I read an article in the news paper shortly after the death occured. There wasn't enough information for me to make a decision. I do know that medical should not be involved when security has someone in the restraint chair. The restraint chair is for disciplinary purposes and security has appropriate rules reguarding time checks and release. If medical remains present during restraint chair use, take downs and cell extractions, security personel get a false sense of security. They will have a tendency to be a little more rough thinking medical will take care of the results. The only time I have been involved or present during such an episode was due to the inmate having a mental illness that caused the behavior in the first place. According to current laws, if the inmate has been refusing meds, or so nuts he doesn't believe he needs them, and becomes a danger to himself or others, I am then responsible to make the decision to medicate. Not to tranquilize, but obtain tranquility for the inmate. Our officers never discipline a mentally ill inmate. The only time the officers step in is to maintain a secure environment. Actually I was appalled at the news of a mental pt dying in a prison, and that he was seen twice that day by medical personel.

[AHCANJS]

I did watch the episode. There were inconsistancies in the report and too much information unreported. It is disgusting and gives everyone a "bad rep" when the media plays to the myth of poor healthcare-it seemed like a ratings tactic rather than responsible reporting. Clearly there was a fatal outcome; however, what else was missing? I was totally shocked the DOC released the video. Without all the facts, no one can make any real decision or form a meaningful opinion. The appalling thing is--it doesn't matter now what really happened as far as public opinion is concerned the very brief clip was enough to cement the idea that inmates are completely abused/left to die when incarcerated.