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| Study finds inmate medical care lacking in Vermont |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 02/16/2004 |
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A survey of Vermont prison inmates finds they often wait weeks to see a doctor, have trouble following rehabilitation programs and rarely get dental care. Nearly 200 of the state's roughly 1,700 inmates responded to a survey by the Vermont Prisoner's Health Coalition released last month. They wrote of their experiences with the prisons' medical, psychiatric and dental care, and with the programs designed to address issues such as violence. Private companies contract with the state to provide some of those services, including medical and psychiatric services. The survey is unofficial and is based on a series of anecdotal responses from a small sector of the inmate population, said Department of Corrections Commissioner Steve Gold. Still, he said the findings were interesting and that he would consider them. Authors of the report say they have been hearing similar complaints from inmates for years and that it's time state officials take notice. Inmate health care, particularly mental health services, have been in the state spotlight recently following a string of suicides in 2003. The state has hired consultants to investigate how those deaths, and several others, were handled, and legislators have been hearing testimony on the quality of psychiatric services for offenders. The survey form was sent to every inmate in the Corrections system, though it is hard to know how many received it, said Marsha Bancroft, who coordinates the Prisoner's Health Coalition. Inmates were asked to fill out the form and return it, signing their names only if they wanted to. About 11 percent responded. Gold said inmates who had something to complain about were more likely to respond. |
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