New York Correction Department lacks clear guidelines for immediate care of severely bleeding wounds, says attorney general’s office.
The tragic incident involving Michael Nieves at Rikers Island jail complex on August 25, 2022, has raised serious concerns about the treatment of inmates and the responsibility of correction workers in providing medical care. The New York attorney general’s office of special investigation conducted a thorough review and found that the failure of three correction workers to offer aid to Mr. Nieves as he bled from a self-inflicted throat wound was a contributing factor to his death.
Despite this finding, the attorney general, Letitia James, decided not to press criminal charges against the workers, citing the possibility that Mr. Nieves may have still died even with immediate medical help. The report highlighted that the correction workers had followed department rules by not providing immediate care, as the rules and regulations did not clearly mandate such action in cases of severe bleeding wounds.
This decision not to charge the corrections workers has been met with disappointment and criticism from Mr. Nieves’s family, who have filed a lawsuit against the city. Their lawyer, Samuel Shapiro, expressed shock and dismay at the surveillance footage showing the workers standing by as Mr. Nieves bled to death, calling it a disturbing lack of action on the part of city employees.
Following the incident, the Department of Correction suspended all three workers for 30 days and imposed restrictions on their interactions with detainees upon their return to work. Two of the officers, Beethoven Joseph and Jeron Smith, are facing accusations of violating rules and directives on suicide prevention and intervention, with disciplinary proceedings still ongoing as of May 2023.
The case of Michael Nieves highlights the importance of clear protocols and training for correction workers in responding to medical emergencies and mental health crises among inmates. It also underscores the need for accountability and oversight to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals in correctional facilities.
Source: The NY Times
