Medical treatment at prison scrutinized

Parents raise concerns over medication doses in Clearfield jail

CLEARFIELD -- Two parents addressed the Clearfield County Prison Board meeting Tuesday to voice their concerns about the medical treatment offered to inmates at the Clearfield County Jail.

A former inmate's mother said her son was "started on lithium" while in the jail but had not been on any medications before his incarceration.

Julie Hamilton told of her son receiving a "hit and miss dosage" and on one occasion, he was given another inmate's medications.

Hamilton, who has medical power of attorney for her son, stated that no one at the jail would give her any information on his treatment or explain who prescribed the drug for him. Since that time, he has been transferred to a state prison where he is not taking any medications.

She stated other parents are having similar problems.

"They are inmates. They can't go to the ER, Q-Care or a doctor," she said.

In another case, Hamilton claimed that an inmate found with contraband drugs was put in charge of the cell block.

"She got privileged treatment for breaking the law," Hamilton said.

President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman took the paperwork Hamilton provided and told her he would review it before getting back to her.

Lisa Richardson echoed some of the same complaints regarding medications for inmates. She told the board her daughter was forced to take medication or she would be "Tazed."

She also expressed concerns about her daughter being sent for a psychological evaluation and became visibly upset, stating she does not currently know where her daughter is.

Ammerman asked if Richardson contacted the police, to which she answered she had. Although he said he had no recollection of the case, Ammerman said he would investigate it.

Online court records indicate the daughter was released from jail in January.

The board and the jail have been under scrutiny since last summer when two female inmates overdosed and a few days later another inmate who overdosed on contraband died. The family of the victim has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the county, warden and several corrections officers, according to previous articles.

In addition, there was an escape in late May.

On Dec. 8, Warden David Gallagher was fired after a special executive session, while Deputy Warden Susan McQuillen was named acting warden and Lieutenant Tori Kerr as acting deputy warden.

Ammerman stated he was advised of Gallagher's termination and he supported that decision.

While discussing personnel issues, County Commissioner Dave Glass noted that the county has hired a new deputy warden to replace Eric Bush, the former deputy warden who resigned on Oct. 28 after being at the facility for only about a year.

The new deputy is Krisha Oates, who will start at the facility on Dec. 26. She previously worked at the Jefferson County Jail.

The search for a new warden is ongoing.