|
|
| Suicide deaths of 2 county inmates basis of lawsuit naming prison officials |
| By The Citizen's Voice |
| Published: 12/15/2003 |
|
The estates of two former inmates at the Luzerne County, Pa. Correctional Facility who died while in custody have sued Luzerne County, Warden Eugene Fischi and Deputy Warden Roland Roberts. It is alleged that the county and prison officials failed to take proper precautions that would have prevented the deaths of the victims. Michael Lazovich, administrator of the estate of Mark Lazovich and Jeffrey Wren, administrator of the estate of Lisa Wren, filed the legal action in United States District Court, Scranton last Thursday. Attorneys Michael Cefalo and Lesa Gelb are representing the two plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Michael Lazovich was the father of Mark Lazovich. Jeffrey Wren was the husband of Lisa Wren. Mark Lazovich was admitted to the county prison on Dec. 19, 2002, on a parole violation. He killed himself by strangulation a day later. Lisa Wren was admitted to the county prison April 14, 2003, on a parole violation. Four days later, she overdosed on prescription drugs not prescribed to her and she died a short time later. The lawsuit recounts that since 1995, there have been at least six successful suicides by prisoners or detainees at the county prison. The suit alleges that, despite the mounting loss of life inside the prison, officials "did not review their procedures or training and did not seek to improve any anti-suicide efforts." Plaintiffs further allege that inmates "frequently have information about other prisoners, including whether a prisoner has indicated a desire to commit suicide, and other indicators that a prisoner is a potential suicide risk." It is asserted that the prison should have conducted "psychological evaluations" but failed to employ sufficient personnel to do that. Further, the suit alleges that the prison "had no policy concerning what a correctional officer should do in the event he discovers a prisoner who has attempted to commit suicide." It also states, "The Luzerne County defendants' policy or custom is that prisoner suicides are not preventable, so there is no point in attempting to prevent them." Lazovich, it was noted, was "suffering from heroin withdrawal, was sweating and vomiting and should have been referred to the med/psych unit ..." With regard to Wren's death, the suit notes, "defendants were aware of the problems with drug access and use by inmates at LCCF ... and did not seek to improve any anti-drug efforts." The suit contends that defendants' actions constituted "cruel and unusual punishment" and that it deprived the victims of their due process rights, in violation of the Eighth and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Plaintiffs are seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, lawyers fees, the costs of litigation and any other relief the court approves. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think