An Aching System
One doctor accidentally chopped off part of a newborn’s left index finger during a delivery. He also attacked two nurses who vividly described how he choked them while in a rage.
Another doctor drained the wrong side of a patient’s chest while attempting to remove a mass of fluid and altered a medical record to show that he operated on the correct side.
A third, a cardio-vascular and thoracic surgeon, was charged by New York State’s Office of Medical Conduct with botching 10 surgeries in four years – cutting into a patient’s chest to treat an inoperable lesion and needlessly carrying out extensive, medically inappropriate procedures.
Common to all the doctors is one of their most recent places of employment: the New York state prison system.
They are among 10 physicians identified by THE CITY who at some point since 2021 made up a disproportionate number of the system’s full-time core of doctors, despite being sanctioned for horrific mistakes and other professional abuses.
A Small Village
Before White’s release later that year, his parents bought a double-wide trailer on an acre of land near Lake George. They put in handrails and adjusted the widths of the doors to make space for his wheelchair.
Confined to bed and recently placed on a feeding tube, he is now close to death, according to his mother.
"He wants to keep as much independence as he can," she said, describing how health aides, friends, and people from church routinely stop by, many with food.
"We are trying our best to preserve what in life can give joy and meaning right now," she said.
"But thoughts still eat away at her about her son’s treatment in prison, and the similar care she is certain others experience.
"I mean, these are human beings," she said. "Yeah, maybe they’ve made some poor decisions, but you don’t treat any human being on earth that way. Leave them lying on a cement floor in their own shit."
An Aching System
The prevalence of these doctors is symptomatic of medical issues that for decades have beset a sprawling system that serves 32,000 inmates in 44 locations stretching to the Canadian border.
Prisoners often point to medical care as one of their biggest grievances, according to advocates.
The Legal Aid Society, the city’s largest public defender organization, has a staff of three whose sole job is to field medical complaints and assess what can be done about them.
"Inmates during my stay generally tried to avoid going to the doctor because when they go whatever is bothering isn’t addressed," said Steven Jacks, a former prisoner who is suing the department over alleged poor treatment.
"The doctors would try to convince the inmates that what they are complaining about isn’t authentic," he added. "The word they’d use is ‘malingering.’"
No Major Medical Problems
At one point, Wright thought White could use more help, according to an internal correspondence reviewed by THE CITY. He noted that White "likely will benefit from … seeing an expert in movement disorders."
"But," the complaint contends, "he did nothing to help Mr. White’s immediate pain and suffering, nor did he input a referral for such an expert."
White was eventually sent to SUNY Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, where, it was hoped, experts could figure out what was at the bottom of his deterioration.
A Complicated Life
Aditep White, who like Jacks has been released from custody, is the other prisoner who brought a lawsuit naming Wright. His complicated life and medical history are indicative of those of many others behind prison walls.
White was about 8 and living in a remote area of Thailand when he was adopted by a couple from upstate New York.
He suffered from cognitive delays due to the lack of "ability and education and resources" in the villages he grew up in, according to his mother Christine Michael, a retired college professor.
Conclusion
The prevalence of these doctors in the New York state prison system raises serious concerns about the quality of medical care provided to inmates. The fact that some of these doctors have been hired despite being sanctioned for horrific mistakes and other professional abuses is particularly troubling.
The Legal Aid Society and other advocates for prisoners’ rights have long argued that the prison system is in dire need of reform, citing concerns about medical care, mental health treatment, and other issues.
As the state continues to grapple with these challenges, it is essential to prioritize the health and well-being of all prisoners, regardless of their past mistakes.
FAQs
Q: What is the prevalence of doctors with a history of medical malpractice or other professional abuses in the New York state prison system?
A: According to THE CITY’s analysis, doctors with a history of medical malpractice or other professional abuses make up at least 10% of the system’s full-time core of doctors, a figure 20 times higher than the presence of such doctors in the state as a whole.
Q: What is the quality of medical care provided to prisoners in the New York state prison system?
A: Prisoners often report that medical care is one of their biggest grievances, with many complaining of inadequate treatment, delays in receiving care, and a lack of access to necessary medications and other services.
Q: What are some of the challenges faced by the New York state prison system in terms of attracting and retaining medical professionals?
A: Attracting and retaining medical professionals is a significant challenge for the prison system, which faces stiff competition from other employers and must offer competitive salaries and benefits to attract top talent.
