Access to medical resources in courthouses is a right

One of the greatest threats to justice is our unwillingness to treat all people with the dignity and care they deserve. In our prisons and jails in New York City, where the state has an absolute duty to provide medical care for people under cancer control, diabetes goes untreated, asthma attacks are ignored, and cries of untreated mental illness are muffled. Our legal system has become a breeding ground for neglect. Quite simply, the state is failing to protect the physical health and well-being of the people in its custody.

This continued failure to ensure consistent access to medical resources and treatment in court facilities has serious consequences. Despite the Supreme Court’s 1976 ruling, hundreds of prisoners die every year from medical neglect Estelle versus Gamblein which the court found that deliberate indifference to medical needs amounted to cruel and unusual punishment. The ruling specifically recognized that ignoring the serious medical needs of prisoners violates the United States Constitution. But for many awaiting trial in New York, these protections remain more theoretical than practical.

In fact, as of this writing, many people with chronic illnesses or acute medical conditions are awaiting trial in facilities across New York State without timely access to medication or treatment. Far too often we see these conditions rapidly worsen and lead to avoidable suffering and even death. The story of 25-year-old Leron Jones is a devastating reminder of this frightening reality.

On the morning of February 9, 2024, Leron sat in a Manhattan courtroom awaiting his next appearance before the judge. Then, in the middle of the bustling hub of the Manhattan Criminal Court and NYPD Manhattan Central Booking Center, Leron suddenly suffered a severe seizure. As he lay on the cold ground, his medical emergency spiraled dangerously out of control. Far from the comfort of a hospital, his condition deteriorated at an alarming rate, eventually leading to cardiac arrest.

As paramedics rushed to the scene and continued life-saving efforts from police officers who happened to be nearby, the clock was ticking. Leron was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital, but despite their best efforts, medical staff were unable to save his life.

Leron’s story underscores the urgent need to integrate medical facilities and/or on-site medical assistance into courthouses and for the transport of individuals – whatever the circumstances – from detention centers, jails and prisons throughout New York. Ensuring that medical care is readily available at these critical junctures can make the difference between life and death and provide protection for those caught in the unforgiving interface between the legal system and urgent health crises.

Leron’s story is also a chilling reminder of the deadly consequences of this systemic failure. Without access to comprehensive medical records, health care providers who treat incarcerated individuals are forced to start from scratch and waste valuable time gathering information about their new patients’ medical history, current medications, and treatment plans. These delays can have devastating consequences, as Leron’s case shows. In a medical emergency, every second counts. The lack of consistent access to medical records creates a dangerous gap in care and puts countless lives at risk.

We must take an alternative approach. Under Int 0098-2024, a bill recently submitted to the City Council, the New York City Department of Corrections and Correctional Health Services would be required to maintain a medical clinic staffed by medical professionals in every New York City criminal justice facility. In addition, the correctional service would be required to prepare a document listing the food, medications, or other medical services that individuals may need during their stay in a court facility. If a person demonstrates such a need, the correctional authority is responsible must Allow access to the medical clinic so that the person can receive appropriate treatment.

Improving the maintenance of medical clinics and a mandated worklist of potential medical needs at courthouses would ensure that those transported receive adequate resources and timely medical care in the event of an emergency. This step is about fundamental human rights, with the aim of promoting humane treatment of those caught up in the criminal justice system, even as we continue to seek release.

We must create a system that ensures that every individual’s medical needs are met every step of the way, regardless of the status of their criminal case. This is not about charity. It’s about recognizing the City of New York’s responsibility to protect the physical health of every person in its custody at all times.