Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Charging inmates for some or all of the medical services they receive while incarcerated is a growing trend in correctional health care in both prisons and jails. This article explores the legality of such practice under the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against "cruel and unusual punishment" in the United States’ Constitution, as well as the Due Process Clauses of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. It also presents some of the practical and ethical considerations to be weighed in adopting such a system. In summary, I conclude that, while a carefully crafted program of charging inmates for medical care will withstand court scrutiny, it has not been shown that sound practical and ethical considerations support the adoption of such a system.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Anno, B. J. & Faiver, K. L. (1991). Cost considerations: Financing, budgeting and fiscal management. In B. J. Anno , Prison health care: Guidelines for the management of an adequate delivery system (pp. 233-255). Chicago: SAGE Publications.

Benter v. Peck, 825 F. Supp. 1411 (S.D. Iowa 1993).

Brazier (1982). Prison doctors and their involuntary patients. Public Law, p. 282-282.

Byrd v. Wilson, 701 F.2d 592 (6th Cir. 1983).

Campbell v. Miller, 787 F.2d 217 (7th Cir. 1986).

Collins v. Romer, 962 F.2d 1508 (10th Cir. 1992).

Delverne v. Klevenhagen, 888 F.Supp. 64 (S.D. Tex. 1995).

Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97; 97 S.Ct 285 (1976).

Fees for medical services: A cost-saving program. (1992, Fall). Correct Care, pp. 4-4, 11-11.

10.

Gillihan v. Shillinger, 872 F.2d 935 (10th Cir. 1989).

11.

Howell v. Evans, 922 F.2d 712 (11th Cir. 1991).

12.

Johnson v. Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services, 885 F.Supp. 817 (D. Md. 1995).

13.

Lopez

& Chayriques

(1994, Spring). Billing prisoners for medical care blocks access. National Prison Project Journal, 9(2), 1-2, 17-17.

14.

Manning

(1993, July/August). An inmate fee for medical services program. American Jails, pp. 38-41.

15.

Martin v. Debruyn, 880 F. Supp. 610 (N.D. Ind. 1995).

16.

McGuckin v. Smith, 974 F.2d 1050 (9th Cir. 1992).

17.

Miltier v. Beorn, 896 F.2d 848 (4th Cir. 1990).

18.

Nathan

(1985). Guest editorial. Journal of Prison and Jail Health, 5(1), 3-12.

19.

Neisser (1977). Is there a doctor in the joint? The search for constitutional standards for prison health care. Virginia Law Review, 83, 921-921.

20.

Parrish v. Johnson, 800 F.2d 600 (6th Cir. 1986).

21.

Quick v. Jones, 754 F.2d 1521 (9th Cir. 1985).

22.

Ramos v. Lamm, 639 F.2d 559 (10th Cir. 1980).

23.

Revere v. Massachusetts General Hospital, 463 U.S. 239; 103 S.Ct. 2979 (1983).

24.

Schickel (1996, March). Inmate co-payments: A cost cutting tactic that saved money for the citizens of Boone County Kentucky. Corrections Forum.

25.

Scott v. Angelone, 771 F. Supp. 1064 (D. Nev. 1991), aff’d mem., 980 F.2d 738 (9th Cir. 1992).

26.

Todaro v. Ward, 431 F. Supp. 1129 (S.D.N.Y.), aff’d, 565 F.2d 48 (2d Cir. 1977).

27.

Twaddle (1976). Utilization of medical services by a captive population: An analysis of sick call in a state prison. Journal of Health & Social Behavior, 17, 236-236.

28.

Wellman v. Faulkner, 715 F.2d 269 (7th Cir. 1983).

29.

West v. Keve, 571 F.2d 159 (3d Cir. 1978).

Charging Inmates for Medical Care: A Legal,Practical,and Ethical Critique

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References