Lew Sterrett Does Not Provide Adequate Health Conditions

The Dallas County Jail has been accused of not providing adequate health conditions to inmates. Lee Jefferson and John Graves are suing the jail for a total of $950,000 for this health neglect case. "The men's families and lawyers say that they were denied adequate medical care inside the jail and that it contributed to or caused their dire conditions" (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/041907dnmetjailneglect.3899f9e.html). However, Sharon Phillips, vice president of Lew Sterrett Health Department, says that the jail was in a "good standard of care." More information can be found at http://www.utmb.edu/dcj/dallassterrett.htm.

The Dallas News site is reporting a story of health neglect with sufficient evidence that the jail provides unlivable conditions. The Lew Sterrett Justice Center web site avoids these accusations by providing broad comments such as they provide "daily healthcare needs, emergencies, and chronic care" to patients in need. But never really addressing the actual controversy. Lew Sterrett also defends their side by stating that the "patients are too mentally challenged to request medical assistance." In attempt to make themselves look better, they provide statistics saying they treat anywhere from 50-75 patients and emergencies daily.

But Mr. Jefferson did not receive the proper treatment he needed for his sickle-cell anemia until a month after he was put in jail. Dallas News reported, "The jail ran out of one of his medications, an antibiotic, according to his jail medical records." He stopped breathing and was left with severe brain damage. Lew Sterrett had no public comment. Ms. Phillips stands defending Lew Sterrett. There are many gaps to this story and it seems that Ms. Phillips is getting around the questions by answering them in broader terms. These two stories are definatly in disagreement, although evidence of each side of the story is proven.

Lew Sterrett Does Not Provide Adequate Health Conditions

The Dallas County Jail has been accused of not providing adequate health conditions to inmates. Lee Jefferson and John Graves are suing the jail for a total of $950,000 for this health neglect case. "The men's families and lawyers say that they were denied adequate medical care inside the jail and that it contributed to or caused their dire conditions" (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/041907dnmetjailneglect.3899f9e.html). However, Sharon Phillips, vice president of Lew Sterrett Health Department, says that the jail was in a "good standard of care." More information can be found at http://www.utmb.edu/dcj/dallassterrett.htm.

The Dallas News site is reporting a story of health neglect with sufficient evidence that the jail provides unlivable conditions. The Lew Sterrett Justice Center web site avoids these accusations by providing broad comments such as they provide "daily healthcare needs, emergencies, and chronic care" to patients in need. But never really addressing the actual controversy. Lew Sterrett also defends their side by stating that the "patients are too mentally challenged to request medical assistance." In attempt to make themselves look better, they provide statistics saying they treat anywhere from 50-75 patients and emergencies daily.

But Mr. Jefferson did not receive the proper treatment he needed for his sickle-cell anemia until a month after he was put in jail. Dallas News reported, "The jail ran out of one of his medications, an antibiotic, according to his jail medical records." He stopped breathing and was left with severe brain damage. Lew Sterrett had no public comment. Ms. Phillips stands defending Lew Sterrett. There are many gaps to this story and it seems that Ms. Phillips is getting around the questions by answering them in broader terms. These two stories are definatly in disagreement, although evidence of each side of the story is proven.