Conditions At McPherson And Grimes Prison Units Unconstitutional
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
The federal Justice Department said today that
conditions at the McPherson women`s prison and the Grimes` men`s
prison in Newport are unconstitutional.
In particular, the department says, the two state prisons do not
provide adequate medical attention to prisoners suffering from
serious medical conditions.
The department says both prisons demonstrate "deliberate indifference toward the serious medical needs of
inmates." For example, one prisoner who recently had open-heart
surgery was given Tylenol and sent back to his cell after he
complained of chest pains.
In addition, the department said, the prisons failed to
adequately protect inmates from physical harm and sexual
misconduct.
The findings are the result of an investigation conducted by the
department`s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney`s Office in
Arkansas.
The division`s Assistant Attorney General Alexander Acosta says
he is confident the state will correct the problem.
A prisons spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment.
