Medical Treatment — Ask the Inmate
Incarcerated people have a constitutional right to adequate medical care under the Eighth Amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. In practice, the quality of medical care varies significantly across facilities and the gap between what the law requires and what inmates actually receive can be substantial. This section covers how medical care works inside federal and state facilities, how to request medical attention, what to do when medical needs are ignored or inadequately addressed, how to get medications approved and delivered to an incarcerated loved one, and what legal options exist when medical care falls below constitutional standards. The questions answered here come from families who are watching a loved one's health deteriorate inside and from inmates trying to navigate a system that does not always prioritize their well-being. Advocacy from the outside matters and this section explains how to exercise it effectively. See also our sections on Prison Discipline and Emergencies and Natural Disasters.
There are limited medical and dental recourses in the state prison system. Dental emergencies are largely remedied by pulling the tooth/teeth affected, not mending them. They never offer a cosmetic choice. If your inmate has dentures already, he can receive them but in no way will the state foot the bill for new dentures.
Read moreYou can send your inmate one pair of prescription glasses. There are no guidelines for the type of frames allowed, we would advise something that is durable. If he breaks them, you can send another pair.
Read moreIt is pretty good for state prison, although it is best to never get sick while incarcerated as the output is minimal. There is a nurse on staff 24/7, inmates can put in for a doctor visit but might have to pay a small amount from their commissary account as a co-pay.
Read moreMRU stands for Medical Release Unit. It is a designation used in some state correctional systems for a specialized housing unit within a prison that provides enhanced medical care for inmates with serious or chronic health conditions who require more intensive treatment than the general population medical unit can provide. Inmates assigned to an MRU are typically those dealing with significant medical needs including serious illness, post-surgical recovery, or conditions requiring regular nursing or physician oversight. The unit functions
Read moreHe will be safe. He will get plenty of medical help and if we know human nature, the other inamtes will make it their business to make sure he is getting better. Inmates make make calls after they have completed the requisite orientation.
Read moreInmateAID Rule Number One: don't get sick in prison. The hardest part to get used to is that we consider to be appropriate and what they deem to be appropriate. Medical attention in prison is not great. You can certainly become an advocate by contacting the lower chains to see if you can get some empathy from a counselor or case manager. The next level would be the chaplain and then up to the Assistant Warden and then Warden. The problem with
Read moreYes, the medical records are the property of the inmate and are allowed a copy. Have him fill out a "cop out" request for them.
Read moreWhomever is standing for him in court needs to make the judge aware of his mental state - this is one of his defenses. The judge should order a mental health evaluation if properly noticed. The results will give the judge some idea of how to proceed. If he was indeed involved in a serious crime the better alternative to incarceration for him would be in a mental health facility to help treat his illness.
Read moreNormally, the inmates that are under a doctor's care and have a legitimate prescription will get their medicine. There are usually a number of inmates requiring continuation of their meds - and there are provisions for the distribution three times per day.
Read moreThe inmates have the same privacy rights as they relate to medical issues as anyone. You will not be able to get any information released to you without a Power of Attorney or a release form signed by the patient.
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