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| Jail Urged to Reopen Infirmary |
| By Newsday |
| Published: 05/19/2003 |
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Seriously ill inmates at the Nassau jail are not being properly cared for, according to the chairman of the New York Commission of Correction, who predicts potential 'catastrophic medical care outcomes' if nothing is done. In an April 28 letter to Nassau Sheriff Edward Reilly and jail medical director Dr. James Neal, the chairman states: 'To knowingly attempt to manage patients in these conditions in the state's largest jail ... is, in the Commission's opinion, flagrantly negligent and a violation of state law and regulations which pose grave hazards and risks to the local government unit.' The letter from Chairman Alan Croce urges local officials to open an infirmary unit with the staff and facilities to care for these inmates. Those cited suffer from kidney failure, serious lung diseases, ulcerative colitis, Parkinson's disease, asthma and other conditions. County officials must meet a federal mandate to improve medical care, and while the mandate does not require an infirmary, if one reopens, it must meet state and federal standards. The state closed down the unit in July because of the 'failure' of Nassau University Medical Center to adequately staff, equip and organize it. In a May 5 response letter to Croce, Neal said the inmates in question are well enough to stay at the jail but he is 'fully willing to re-initiate infirmary level care if so directed by the sheriff.' But he says the hospital will do so only after renovations are completed and the medical staff approves. Reilly said he is committed to having an infirmary and is working with hospital officials to develop a plan. He has moved many seriously ill inmates to a separate housing unit near the jail's out-patient medical clinic, and he said Neal 'has assured me' that their medical care is adequate. Croce had asked for a response to his letter this week or, he said, the commission will take 'further action.' The agency oversees the state's jails and has the power to cite them for not meeting state standards. |
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