Penal Institution Expert Witness: Jail Staff Failed to Adequately Monitor Inmate During Drug Withdrawal

This case involves a man who suffered from benzodiazepine withdrawal while incarcerated in a county jail in Mississippi. Jail staff were aware of the inmate’s history of benzodiazepine abuse, as well as the potential medical consequences of benzodiazepine withdrawal, however they took no action to either prevent or mitigate the effects of withdraw. It is alleged that medical staff at the detention center did not follow the proper steps in monitoring the man while he was under the care of the facility.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Do you have extensive experience working in correctional medicine? 2. Are you familiar treating inmates suffering from Benzodiazepine withdrawal?

Expert Witness Response E-037152

I have experience in both clinical and administrative areas for correctional medicine. I oversee the medical and mental healthcare of one of the largest jails in the country. I have experience with the legal aspects, clinical review, media, and with both professional and sworn staff related to clinical and budgetary areas. I am very familiar with treating inmates who suffer from Benzodiazepine withdrawal as we have a protocol, which I recently revised to treat such patients. The jail I work at encounters a few thousand people withdrawing from substances, so I have become very familiar with policies and procedures as well as execution of it in the correctional setting. I also treat individuals who are experiencing Benzodiazepine withdrawal as a physician. I work as an Emergency room physician at a VA medical center and also serve as the medical director and conduct clinics for a non-profit detox center. I have extensive experience reviewing such cases for my county.