by Alex Mallozzi
Twenty-eight-year-old Shaquille Polk died due to a neglected medical condition during his jail sentence. While incarcerated in Anson County Jail, Shaquille Polk asked for medical care multiple times and was denied until it was too late. Shaquille was taken to the hospital but died in the hospital, as his condition had developed beyond treatment. Shaquille Polk’s death embodies a current major issue in the U.S. jail and prison systems.
Inmate neglect is a common issue in prisons and jails across the country. Prisoners have increased chances of developing chronic health problems such as high blood pressure. Incarceration also greatly increases the chances of developing harmful habits such as substance abuse or gambling. Although inmates have a right to health care under the eighth amendment, that does not necessarily mean the best healthcare. As a result, healthcare provided to inmates is typically low quality and not taken seriously in many states. Prisons and jails are inherently unfit to manage people afflicted with chronic diseases because medical care requires intense attention that most correctional facilities lack in our country.
Although serving time is not supposed to be enjoyable, inmates should have their medical needs met to keep them healthy so they do not get out of prison in a worse condition than before. Adequate medical care is crucial to creating good correctional facilities that many ignore.
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