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Healthcare Rights of Inmates in New Jersey Correctional Facilities
At Lyons & Associates, we understand that every individual—regardless of their detention status—has fundamental rights, including access to adequate medical care and to be treated with decency. Inmates in New Jersey correctional facilities are entitled to necessary medical care, and when those rights are denied or violated, legal action may be required to seek justice.
Understanding Inmate’s Rights To Adequate Medical Care
The Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects incarcerated people from cruel and unusual punishment, which includes an acceptable standard of care in terms of modern medicine and beliefs about human decency. Federal and state laws, including the New Jersey Administrative Code, ensure that inmates receive appropriate medical treatment, including:
- Timely access to medical specialists, doctors, nurses, and medical staff.
- Emergency care for life-threatening conditions.
- Treatment for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, and heart disease.
- Mental health services and medication.
- Prescription medications as required.
- Substance abuse treatment programs.
- Specialized care for disabilities and age-related health concerns.
- Specialized care for infectious diseases: Aids, Hepititus, TB and MRSA.
- Pregnancy related healthcare
- Dental care
When an inmate is denied healthcare, suffers from medical neglect, or experiences delayed treatment, their rights may have been violated.
Examples of Medical Neglect in Prison
Many inmates in New Jersey correctional facilities report serious violations of their Eight Amendment rights. Some of the most commonly reported issues include:
- Inadequate Mental Health Treatment – Many inmates with diagnosed mental illnesses are denied proper therapy, medication, or crisis intervention services.
- Delayed or Denied Emergency Medical Care – Instances where inmates suffer from life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, or severe infections without receiving timely care.
- Denial of Medications – Some prisons fail to provide necessary prescription medications, leaving inmates suffering from unmanaged pain or medical conditions.
- Lack of Treatment for Chronic Illnesses – Inmates with conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or epilepsy often experience neglect in the form of missed medical appointments or lack of monitoring.
- Lack of Treatment for injuries sustained in the Correctional Center – Officers and/or medical staff may fail to provide timely care, failing to order x-rays and/or denying proper treatment with specialists.
- Failure to Address Inmate Complaints – Prison medical staff may dismiss or ignore repeated complaints of pain, illness, or symptoms of worsening conditions.
- Poor Sanitary Conditions – Overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in prison facilities often contribute to the spread of infections and communicable diseases, with little intervention from medical staff.
- Neglect of Elderly and Disabled Inmates – Older inmates and those with physical disabilities often receive inadequate care, making daily tasks and mobility difficult or impossible without assistance.
What to Do If An Inmate’s Rights To Adequate Medical Care Were Violated
If you believe that an inmate in a New Jersey correctional facility is or has been denied proper medical care, consider taking the following steps:
- Document the Issues
- Keep records of medical complaints, treatment refusals, or ignored requests for medical attention.
- Maintain copies of letters or emails sent to prison authorities regarding the issue.
- If possible, obtain medical records showing a lack of treatment or necessary care.
- File a Grievance with the Correctional Facility
- Every correctional facility has a grievance system where inmates can report mistreatment or rights violations.
- The grievance process must be completed before taking legal action in many cases.
- Contact a Civil Rights Attorney
- An experienced civil rights attorney can help file a lawsuit for medical neglect and ensure the inmate receives proper care; and to hold those accountable for violating the inmates rights.
How Lyons & Associates Can Help
Our experienced civil rights attorneys at Lyons & Associates are dedicated to protecting the rights of inmates and ensuring they receive the medical care they are entitled to and protecting their rights under the law. We can assist with:
- Investigating claims of medical neglect.
- Holding correctional facilities accountable for failing to provide adequate Medical Care.
- Seeking compensation for harm caused by medical negligence.
- Advocating for policy changes to improve inmate healthcare conditions.
Seek Justice for Medical Neglect Today
No one should suffer due to inadequate medical care while incarcerated. If you or a loved one has experienced medical neglect in a New Jersey correctional facility, don’t wait—reach out to Lyons & Associates for a confidential consultation. We are here to listen, guide you through the legal process, and fight for justice.