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Study finds at least a third of sampled prisoner deaths were preventable

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Illinois

* From the ACLU…

Four years after an expert found that the Illinois Department of Corrections failed to provide adequate medical care to prisoners across the state, conditions are “either no better or in fact worse in 2018.” Most disturbing, the medical professionals who conducted a new examination in 2018 finds that the poor care is resulting in deaths that could be prevented. Dr. Mike Puisis and his team – in a damning report filed in federal court today – examined 33 deaths in IDOC facilities. They found that one-third – 12 deaths – were preventable. Another 7 were possibly preventable and the record-keeping in 5 cases were so poor or had missing documents so that the experts could not determine if the death was preventable.

The stories of the preventable deaths are heart-breaking. In one instance, a 24-year-old with mental illness swallowed two plastic utensils (two sporks). Despite being seen by medical personnel for symptoms including abdominal pain and the inability to eat, he went untreated. The patient lost more than 50 pounds and was hospitalized only after being found unresponsive, where he died. The utensils were discovered during an autopsy.

“We knew four years ago that prisoners in Illinois were subject to needless pain and suffering,” said Camille Bennett, staff counsel at the ACLU of Illinois. “This latest report shows that the lack of adequate care is lethal. Illinois must fix this problem.”

The report by Dr. Mike Pusis and a team of court-appointed experts was filed today in federal court as part of on-going litigation in Lippert v. Godinez, a lawsuit challenging medical care in the IDOC system. It builds on a report filed in 2015 (conducted in 2014) by Dr. Ronald Shansky and a team of medical experts.

“This report tells a remarkably ugly story,” added Harold Hirshman, Senior Counsel at the Dentons law firm and counsel in the case. “Once again, a carefully-drafted, professional report concludes that the quality of care provided to Illinois prisoners is atrocious and leads to death.”

Among other detailed findings, the new expert report criticizes DOC for not having enough qualified physicians. At Dixon Correctional Center, for example, 20% of the healthcare positions at the facility are vacant. Staffing shortages exist in every facility operated by IDOC.

The filing of the expert report is the latest development in Lippert, et. al, v. Ghosh.

The report is here.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 9:46 am

Comments

“At Dixon Correctional Center, for example, 20% of the healthcare positions at the facility are vacant.”

Another symptom of “hollowing” out?

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 9:59 am
Add this to the hollowing out of state government list. That is awful.

Comment by lakeside Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 10:01 am
I thought Illinois had abolished the death penalty.

Comment by JoanP Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 10:06 am
How many doctors or nurses do you think are lining up to work in a prison? What incentives do they have that outweigh the hazards? Why should they consider DOC, if they even know it’s an option?

Comment by Duke of Normandy Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 10:14 am
I greatly admire the humanity of those like those at the ACLU who shine a light on areas most don’t care to look.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 10:16 am
The average person, or legislator, has no idea regarding the prison system. There are many things that are very well done, but other things are a complete embarrassment. When high level jobs are awarded as political payoff, these things happen. The new Governor, need to find quality people, who have an understanding of the IDOC. Then keep an eye on the entire system for preventable problems.

Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 10:16 am
I hope the Senate will not this study and join the House in overriding Governor Rauner’s AV HB5104. The bill eliminates a $5 statutory copay charged to prisoners for non-emergency medical care.

Other states and jurisdictions have gotten rid of copays, which the CDC has identified as a barrier to preventative care. Getting rid of them will help make IDOC facilities healthier and safer for staff and inmates.

Comment by John Amdor Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 10:30 am
Just delivering services that are already promised or required is going to cost a pretty penny. I hope they can restrain themselves in pursuit of new shiny things. Or at least find a way to take credit for now funding things that were previously promised.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 10:31 am
===What incentives do they have that outweigh the hazards?===

Tier 2 pensions ain’t helping, either.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 10:32 am
“How many doctors or nurses do you think are lining up to work in a prison?”

Won’t know until someone tries to hire them, will we?

Comment by a drop in Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 10:35 am
This is what happens when you mess with 124 IDOC nurses
In 2017. Even though Rauner backed down damage was done and nurses left the unstable overworked prison environment
Add to that retirements
Remember I have long screamed about
Workforce collapse
Well…..here it is.
Pay people well
Treat people well

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 10:40 am
“20% of the U-Name-It positions at the facility are vacant. Staffing shortages exist in every facility operated by the State of Illinois.”

There, fixed it for ya!! /s

Comment by WhoKnew Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 10:48 am
==How many doctors or nurses do you think are lining up to work in a prison?==

Or in Dixon?

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 12:31 pm
Dixon, IL home of a prison, IDOT Center, and a world champion horse trainer.

Comment by Almost the weekend Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 12:54 pm
They don’t hire the best doctors i can tell ya. I remember an inmate 25 yrs ago with a bad cough. He said the doctor kept telling him he had a cold. Turns out it was lung cancer. Painful way to go

Comment by Milkman Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:37 pm
Honey bear,
The AFSCME nurses are not heroes in this story. I’m a staunch union supporter, but the mistreatment and neglect, even from nurses, but especially from security staff, is unconscionable.

Comment by state worker Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:49 pm
I read through the report and there should be a lot of good takeaways for the IDOC going forward. That being said, I hope this doesn’t lead to a consent decree.

Comment by Chicagonk Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 3:52 pm
There is a prison just outside of our town. They use the local hospital emergency room as the Dr.’s office. Just a bad scene for everyone including the inmate.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 4:09 pm
How many doctors or nurses do you think are lining up to work in a prison?

How many Syrian refugees medical professionals did we turn away when we refused to accept Syrian refugees? How many medical professionals will we turn away from Central America when they show up next month?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 4:24 pm
Unless you have worked in a Illinois state prison, you have NO idea what you’re talking about. Co-pays keep the over running of healthcare because of “I think I have this/that/or the other thing.” IDOC is the new whipping boy of the courts.

Comment by oldhp Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 4:31 pm
Tier II practically guarantees to lower the quality of applicants. Take CMS out of the hiring process, and you will fill these positions a lot faster. In fact, remove CMS altogether and the entire state will much more efficient.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 8:09 pm
Could the decline in medical and nursing staff be related to privatization (Wexford providing all healthcare) other than a state medical doctor overseeing the care?

Comment by Tier1gal Friday, Nov 16, 18 @ 8:25 am