Are Alcoholic Inmates in Danger for Lack of Medical Care?
Alcoholism is a major issue in jails across the country. Alcoholism-related deaths are too common in jails despite being easily preventable. When an alcoholic enters jail, they quickly go into withdrawal because they have been abruptly cut off from alcohol. Alcoholism withdrawal begins with these symptoms: sweating, anxiety, vomiting, headaches, and sleeplessness. If the withdrawal is not treated, symptoms will worsen. This can include hallucinations, abnormal heartbeats, and serious tremors. At worst, symptoms can include seizures and death. Detoxing without medical aid poses a serious danger to any alcoholic inmate.
Over half of criminal offenses are directly connected to alcohol and drug use, creating a large population of inmates who experience withdrawal. Alcoholism is a brain disease that affects behavior and needs treatment like any other disease. The Constitution guarantees imamates a basic level of medical treatment under the 8th Amendment, which protects against cruel and unusual punishment. The suffering that inmates experience while undergoing withdrawal is beyond what is considered fair punishment. The American Public Health Association has stated that about 11 percent of inmates with addictions receive treatment. This low treatment rate explains why deaths related to alcoholism are so common in jails.
Safe and helpful treatment of withdrawal requires that jail medical providers be aware of the issue and take steps to address the potential withdrawal new inmates may be going through. Detox and withdrawal are inadequate treatments for alcoholism without medical assistance. Inmates have a right to have preventable diseases be treated, and jails that continue to mistreat their inmates with inadequate medical aid need to be held accountable.
If you or a loved one have been affected by jail medical neglect, contact the Law Offices of Don Tittle, PLLC today at (214) 522-8400 or complete our online contact form.
The content of this blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship.
Don Tittle
Attorney & Founder
For 35 years, Don Tittle has achieved high-profile, decisive victories in Texas courts, excelling in criminal defense, civil rights litigation, and complex wrongful death and personal injury cases. His law practice now frequently focuses (often concentrates) on cases of abuse and neglect by private jail companies, fighting for justice on behalf of vulnerable individuals.
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