This forum is for all things related to prison health care - from for profit health care industries to inadequate treatment to news and other information.

Regardless of the state or facility, if it involves the prison health care industry, then it belongs in this forum.

Often the health care of prisoners is overlooked and the importance is understated. Educating ourselves is the first key to making changes.

Information for Inmates and Their Families

Federal constitutional law requires that all inmates receive non-negligent and consistent medical treatment. However many facilities do not provide such treatment. If you or a loved one is experiencing difficulty in a correctional facility related to his or her HIV status, please fill out the attached form, or contact us by writing, phoning or emailing.


http://www.correcthelp.org/info/

This is a detail of what the law says regarding inmate health care in general.


In 1976, the U.S. Supreme Court established a constitutional standard for inmate health care (Estelle vs. Gamble) thus guaranteeing prison inmates medical treatment. The Court ruled in Estelle that "deliberate indifference" regarding the serious medical needs of prisoners violates the U.S. Constitution's Eight-Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. Consequently, federal, state and local criminal justice policy makers struggle daily to address the issue of adequate health care for the incarcerated inmate and, in many jurisdictions, the population of offenders under community supervision.

Here is a link to the
Office for Civil Rights - HIPAA

Medical Privacy - National Standards to Protect the Privacy of Personal Health Information

The site contains a wealth of information on HIPAA.

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/

Most, if not all, correctional facilities will require that a HIPAA release be signed by the inmate in order for them to discuss the inmates health care issues with their loved ones. Most state facilities have forms drafted that must be completed by the inmate and the individual loved one.

The following link is to the fact sheet on HIPAA which summarizes the law and makes it very easy to understand.

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/consumer_summary.pdf

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA) was enacted by Congress to address the problem of sexual abuse of persons in the custody of U.S. correctional agencies.

http://www.nicic.org/WebGateway_54.htm

Major provisions of PREA (P.L. 108-79) include:
Development of standards for detection, prevention, reduction, and punishment of prison rape;
Collection and dissemination of information on the incidence of prison rape; and
Award of grant funds to help state and local governments implement the purposes of the Act.The Act applies to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders and is also relevant to community-based agencies.

PREA Commission and Research -Learn about PREA-initiated efforts to better understand the causes of prison rape and recommend solutions.

http://www.nicic.org/WebPage_57.htm

PREA Contacts in Federal Agencies -Contact information regarding the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

http://www.nicic.org/WebPage_335.htm