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| ACLU blasts health care in Nebraska prisons, jails |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 12/22/2003 |
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Health care for inmates in Nebraska prisons and county jails is dangerously close to cruel and unusual punishment, the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said last Thursday. A study to be released Friday to Gov. Mike Johanns and the Legislature shows the correctional system fails to provide adequate medication and other forms of treatment to people behind bars, said Tim Butz, executive director of ACLU Nebraska. The study conducted over six months was based on more than 100 complaints received during a two year period, Butz said. Incidents include a jail suicide, a death in state prison from untreated asthma and cases in which care was provided only after the ACLU intervened with jail authorities, Butz said. "Prisoner health complaints are a constant topic of complaints coming into our office," said the ACLU chapter's legal director, Amy Miller. "In looking at them, we knew we had patterns of neglect that need the attention of the Legislature," Miller said. "This problem is serious and cannot be ignored any longer." Another example, Butz said, is the beating two weeks ago of a man in a holding cell at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln. The State Patrol was investigating the beating, apparently by a prisoner, of Daniel Luethke, 32, of Seward, who had a history of mental health problems. Luethke was booked into the Seward County Jail early on Dec. 5 on suspicion of making terroristic threats. Sheriff's deputies later took Luethke to the state prison's evaluation center for safekeeping after he threatened jail staff and broke a window in his jail cell. His aunt, Colleen Cingle of Papillion, said Luethke had failed to take the medication he needs for his bipolar disorder. One hour after being placed in the holding cell, Luethke was beaten. He was in critical condition Thursday at a Lincoln hospital. Steve King, spokesman for the prison, said the incident was being investigated. Butz said it never should have happened. "What happened to Mr. Luethke was cruel and unnecessary -- his only crime was that he was ill," Butz said. |
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