Currently, the Johnson County jail in New Century, Kansas (AKA the Gardner jail) does not give an inmate certain prescription medications. Apparently, there is a list of medications the jail will not dispense: Methadone, buprenorphine, opiates of any kind, benzodiazepines, and probably other drugs that could possibly get someone high. I understand, however, that the policy is modified if the inmate is a pregnant female. I have not been able to get a written list of medications nor a written policy, but the rational expressed by the medical staff is that they have the authority to ignore the order of a doctor outside the jail because their doctor supervisor in the jail gives the orders for inmates in their care.
It is cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eight Amendment to unnecessarily force an inmate to become ill. And depriving legally-prescribed medication in the case of someone dependent on that medication is unnecessarily cruel.
I plan on legally challenging this policy, and as many of you know, the Johnson Co. Jail is not the only one with this policy.
I'm now trying to find the names of jails that have a more liberal policy, that is, the ones that DO give a prescription-drug addict their medication. For example, I know the jail in Pueblo, Colorado (Pueblo County) provides methadone in a tapering-off dose if an inmate is on a methadone program. Does anybody have experience with other jails in this regard? I'm interested in buprenorphine more than anything else.
Also, I appreciate any suggestions. I plan to write a motion to ask a municipal court to order the jail to provide the medication for a sentence an inmate will soon serve. I also want to change the policy for everybody.
It is cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eight Amendment to unnecessarily force an inmate to become ill. And depriving legally-prescribed medication in the case of someone dependent on that medication is unnecessarily cruel.
I plan on legally challenging this policy, and as many of you know, the Johnson Co. Jail is not the only one with this policy.
I'm now trying to find the names of jails that have a more liberal policy, that is, the ones that DO give a prescription-drug addict their medication. For example, I know the jail in Pueblo, Colorado (Pueblo County) provides methadone in a tapering-off dose if an inmate is on a methadone program. Does anybody have experience with other jails in this regard? I'm interested in buprenorphine more than anything else.
Also, I appreciate any suggestions. I plan to write a motion to ask a municipal court to order the jail to provide the medication for a sentence an inmate will soon serve. I also want to change the policy for everybody.
