30 Northampton County inmates file MRSA suit

Source: AP

The Associated Press
Updated: 01/24/2009 01:57:55 PM EST

ALLENTOWN, Pa.—Thirty former or current inmates of a northeastern Pennsylvania prison have filed suit in federal court alleging that they contracted a drug-resistent staph infection due to the conditions there and lack of treatment.

The suits against Northampton County Prison and its health care contractor allege that prison conditions have fostered a breeding ground for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA (MUR'-suh).

Attorneys representing the county did not return phone calls seeking comment Friday.

Prison officials in 2005 confirmed that there had been a MRSA outbreak in the prison.

Two former Bucks County inmates won a $1.2 million jury award in a MRSA-related suit in 2005. Another suit ended with officials agreeing to provide better monitoring and prevention methods for the infection.

Read more: http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_11545539

---

Contracted health care at prisons seems to mirror the health for profit paradigm of the rest of America.

I live near there. The prisoners, regardless of offense, are on 23 hour lockdown. It's something out of the medieval times. Lots of people with mental issues are warehoused there.

Northampton is extremely right-wing, for the largest part.

as the economy continues to find a bottom and non-violent criminals such as pot offenders are brought into the system.

The county jails around this area are full of people who are in for two joints, non-payment of child support, all sorts of bullshit charges. Why? Because federal aid is paid on a "heads for beds" basis: each head in a bed is worth around $34,000 a year from the federal government.

about a warden dipping..well more like taking a shovel.. into the funds allotted for food. It's a great business no matter how you look at it.

Quite a benefit for some areas ---

PLUS it costs us $50,000 per year to support a prisoner ---

I guess that doesn't involve extra privileges like isolation and torture !!!

I've had six of those infections, and each one was insanely painful. It's easily preventable IF, you wash everything down with bleach AND people keep washing their hands. I contracted it (we believe) at my old martial arts school. I hope they sue them for everything they have.

'm glad you survived them as staph infections are so often deadly.

And my doctor. He has dealt with them before and he got me on some antibiotics as soon as one would flare up. My wife did tons of research and we finally nipped it in the bud.

nor subject them to hazards nor injury from other prisoners . .