Do You Give An Inmate A Medical Device That Runs By Electrical Chord & Has A Long Hose?

[KittyWampus]

What a question. I'm not sure how to answer.

On the one hand, I suppose a criminal awaiting trial should get medical device if required to keep them alive. Don't want a martyr.

On the other hand, if that medical device has an electrical chord and a long hose, you don't want the criminal awaiting trial to have the means to kill himself... or a guard or another inmate.

I am an admitted know-it-all with an opinion on just about everything but can't answer this question.

[kestrel91316]

1. He could also use that electrical cord against his guards.

Only idiots would give him the thing. If he's so sick he needs it, then he needs to be in the jail's hospital ward, or chained to a hospital bed under armed guard. But we all know he'd whine about that, too.

I vote we just stone him in the street. That's what he and his christofascist dominionist co-conspirators want for everybody else. Turnabout's fair play.

[Ptah]

2. Do they make battery-powered masks? n/t

[KittyWampus]

3. Don't know. But someone said sleeping in a chair solves problem too.

[Goblinmonger]

12. It doesn't.

It might make it better in some instances, but it won't solve it. If it is a minor case, there are some mouth guards that slide the bottom jaw forward which help some people, but if he has it bad, the machine is the only thing that stops it. Without my machine, I stop breathing nearly 70 times in an hour. Sometimes for over a minute. Sleeping in a chair doesn't help.

[hlthe2b]

24. Sleep apnea is a condition with many variables & spectrum

of severity. What is necessary in one case does not necessarily apply to the next.

Sounds like your particular situation is significant. 'Glad you are getting the proper care.

[hlthe2b]

23. As does weight loss for some, sugery for others...

There are options...

[MercutioATC]

13. Of course:

http://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/BreatheX-Journey-battery-CPAP.html




There'd still be a hose, though.

[vadawg]

4. it depends on the classification of the inmate, ill explain

say an inmate comes in and has a history of suicidal attempts, or states suicidal thought to the arresting officer or deputy then immediately they are proccessed and everything is taken away and they are given a suicide smock and blanket, if they resist which some do then there stuff is taken forcibly as the guards cant take a chance. Now with medical, if its life or death the inmate can be restrained to recieve the medical treatment and to stop suicide attempts, but unless the medical treatment is life or death, the treatment waits until the forensiocs people talk to the inmate and ascertain whether they are suicidal or have other issues. Its a complicated matter that to outsiders can look cruel but the last thing any guard wants is someone killing themselves, its the worst thing to discover a dead inmate on your shift for a lot of reasons.

[JerseygirlCT]

9. That would be my assumption - good to know

if this is something critical to his health, then that will be determined, and some way found to deal with it.

[TexasObserver]

5. It's not having the means to kill himself they worry about.

It's his ability to craft weapons to use against others they worry about.

If a prisoner wants to kill himself, I say let him. A person should own the right to terminate their own life.

[KittyWampus]

6. While in state custody? Seems like that opens a whole, expensive can of legal worms for the state

[vadawg]

8. what if the same person is just having a moment

its real common when people end up in jail even for minor stuff for them to do dumb stuff, the biggest fighters we have are not the career criminals or the EDPs but the college kids arrested for minor stuff who panic and try to fight their way out. Do you really want us to let all these people having moments kill themselves.

[angstlessk]

11. eggzactly...I was arrested when a teen for being drunk in public...

I was strip searched (I am sure for the amusement of the guards) and put in a cell till my parents got me out...in the meantime I tried to hang myself with my clothes...back then one of those one piece pants outfits? forgot what they were called. It was a one of..and I was so drunk I do not remember doing it..but was told about it later... I agree the criminals who feel no guilt do not want to kill themselves, but teens awaiting their parents might. (late teens 17 years old)

[vadawg]

bingo you got it, as a teen you are a high risk inmate for suicide

we have mayby a couple a week who do dumb stuff and when we talk to them on release they have no idea, usually the supervisor will talk to the parents as well, but we always have to err on the side of caution, if anybody seems irrational or makes statements that are out of whack then we have to treat them as a risk, strip them, put them in suicide smock and maintain regular checks whether they want it or not.

[ret5hd]

18. Aren't you glad that TexasObserver...

wasn't a guard handing you a length of rope while focusing a camcorder?

[angstlessk]

19. oh, yeah...I don't remember any of it, but am sure ole TexasObserver would have passed

by my cell as I was choking and just kept on walking...I guess my ashes could have adorned HIS head on Ash Wednesday?

[vadawg]

20. not to start anything but the crack about ash wednesday wasnt really needed.

[angstlessk]

21. I was a catholic at the time..and if I had commited suicide it would have been the worst sin God

could imagine...back then..so I have no apology to make regarding that and what TexasObserver said..none whatsoever!

[TexasObserver]

26. I favor treating prisoners like humans, not like animals.

They are entitled to a minimum of human rights.

I consider the right to end one's life a human right.

[vadawg]

10. honestly though weapons are always at the front, we have ways of mitigating them

the main issue with someone like this is suicide as all it takes is a second to kill yourself, with him making a weapon to use against the guards there are procedures that are in place for dealing with the possibility.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TexasObserver]

25. I don't approve of all laws or all prison procedures.

You act as if my opinion should comport with your understanding of prison procedures. I know they don't want to allow prisoners to commit suicide. That doesn't change my opinion that people own their own life and should be free to take it if they wish.

You value prohibiting people from committing suicide. I do not. I value personal freedom, and believe that even the incarcerated own their own lives.

[NC_Nurse]

7. Give him a foam wedge to sleep on. That'll help.

[Capn Sunshine]

15. well, if you don't and he has severe apnea, he could die

I'm assuming you're talking about a CPAP machine. People with severe apnea actually stop breathing many times throughout the night. Some don't restart. It also triggers cardiac events if they don't sufficiently "oxygenate'their blood, which is what is really at issue. It might be best to send this inmate to the hospital where observation is more regular.

[NYC_SKP]

16. OK, since I don't know WTF you're talking about, I'll just guess.

You know, I might not be reading what you're reading, so some clues in the original thread would help.

Sigh.

So, is this about a CPAP machine used for sleep apnea?

There are probably low-voltage 12V DC units made, and the hose doesn't have to be that long.

[jmowreader]

29. There are many 12v CPAP units available

They are marketed to people with "active" lifestyles--seniors with RVs, for instance. Check the internet and you'll find CPAP rechargeable batteries, so you can go tent camping I guess.

[Ezlivin]

17. I have no problem with a G Major or F Major Chord

But for god's sake don't let him near a C#7 (add#5) chord.

[Demit]

27. Also important to keep track of it. Nobody needs another Lost Chord.

[Kitty Herder]

22. Perhaps they could provide surgery to correct the problem?

It works, according to two relatives of mine who've had surgery for sleep apnea and it eliminates the need for the cpap machine.

[proud2BlibKansan]

28. Yes because it's humane

[Stinky The Clown]

30. Put him in arm, leg, and torso restaints on a gurney and give him what he asks for

He wants to be a smart ass ...... fine. I'll be smarter and assier.

[SidDithers]

31. Depends on the chord...

b-flat? Relatively harmless.

C-sharp? Deadly in the wrong hands.

Sid

Edit: Typical. I'm a day late and a dollar short again. Post #17 :hi:

[JonLP24]

32. Not all inmates are going to kill a guard or in there for violent offenses

I guess it depends on your custody risk assesement of the individual. If he or she needs it and nothing else then I guess it is ok. Only worry about suicide if the individual is in suicide watch. Someone can kill themselves with clothing or bedsheets.