Prison medical reform

Dr. Noel’s report argues at least one convict at the prison, which houses Nevada’s death row inmates, “has already died an unnecessary, slow and agonizing death” and that more such deaths and unnecessary suffering are likely without prompt change.

Based on a review of the medical records of 35 prisoners, Dr. Noel described the treatment — or lack thereof — as “the most shocking and callous disregard for human life and human suffering that I have ever encountered in the medical profession in my 35 years of practice.”

Death row inmate Patrick Cavanaugh was denied insulin for three years, which caused him to develop gangrene that went untreated, the doctor reports. Medical staffers at the prison “left him to rot to death,” the report alleges.

The ACLU has questioned why Cavanaugh was cremated immediately after death without an autopsy or prior contact with next of kin.

Now, the ACLU is urging the state Prison Board to enter a consent decree to reform “gross medical abuse” at the Ely prison by Jan. 22, “in order to avoid protracted litigation.”

Although the state Prison Board and Corrections Director Howard Skolnik are scheduled to meet in Carson City Tuesday, Mr. Skolnik says the request isn’t on Tuesday’s Prison Board agenda.

The courts and the taxpayers don’t send convicts to prison to be coddled. Prison administrators know that some of these characters love to game the system as a form of entertainment.

“Sick call” can’t be made into a three-ring circus. Administrators with some experience in these matters must review any “reform” plan with an eye to how it will work in the real — and sometimes strange — world within the walls, before the state agrees to changes that could impact security. Inmates aren’t sent to Ely for jaywalking.

But, that said, medical professionals answer to a higher calling then punishment or “corrections.” It’s not their first duty to make things convenient for guards and wardens, but rather to see to it that the state — having largely taken away the prisoner’s liberty to seek medical attention elsewhere — fulfills its basic humane duty to provide these inmates with competent, basic medical care.

Dr. Noel’s report makes for sobering reading.

Other knowledgeable medical sources were complaining, even before his inquiries, that the promptness and thoroughness of care provided at the prison was sometimes callous — not up to the standards that even indigent patients might expect “on the outside.”

Now is not a time to “close ranks” and try to wait out the criticism. A top priority of the Prison Board should be to guarantee inmates are receiving adequate, competent medical care and follow-up — off site, if necessary — right now.

That may not require embracing the ACLU ultimatum without common-sense revisions. But it would also be inappropriate to stonewall, do nothing, and run up legal bills on the taxpayer’s dime.

Reform of Nevada’s prison medical care needs to be done in the open, and speedily. If the ACLU has sensible suggestions, hear them out.