Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., February 21, 2008 Adar1 15, 5768 | | Israel Time: 11:39 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 11:36 21/02/2008 Rights group: Prisons Authority ignores medical needs of inmates By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Prisons Authority  A rights group says they have received over 350 complaints in the last year dealing with the treatment of prisoners seeking medical treatment while incarcerated. Doctors for Human Rights blamed Prisons Service doctors as practicing dual loyalty -often putting the concerns of their employer above those of the patients they are responsible for treating. The group issued a report detailing several particular incidents of wrongdoing, including a Palestinian prisoner who was left handcuffed to a hospital bed while he was dying of a gunshot wound, and a refugee from Darfur who was kept handcuffed while undergoing treatment for Leukemia. Advertisement The rights group also said that AIDS patients incarcerated in the prison system were not informed that they were eligible to receive medical care. Many of the complainants said that conditions in the prisons worsened their medical conditions, including five patients suffering from heart and lung disease who were placed in the same cell with inmates who were cigarette smokers. In addition, seven inmates suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure complained that they were prevented from maintaining a doctor-recommended diet, and instead had to make do with food given to the general inmate population. An additional complaint dealt with inmates who refused to go for medical treatment outside of prison walls due to the harsh conditions of the commute to the treatment facility. One inmate, who was in need of a surgical procedure, said he refused the procedure, as it would require traveling from Afula to Ramle. The inmate said the drive can take as long as 12 hours and the passengers are forced to sit handcuffed on metal benches and are often not allowed to go to the bathroom or eat or drink. The Prisons Services issued a response to the report saying that their medical procedures are "professional and go out of their way to ensure good, quality service." The statement also said that the allegations of dual-loyalty in the report are inconsistent with the day to day professionalism of the Prisons Service. Related articles: Overcrowded jail grants each prisoner just 1.37 square meters Overcrowding in Israeli prisons reaches new high Official: Dangerous sex offenders may be released due to short funds The last minute before privatization Bookmark to del.icio.us   Land of milk and honey Israeli model Bar Refaeli poses for Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition. Finding fault Shas MK blames gays for recent earthquakes in the region.

Today Online Report: U.K. gov't hid reference to Israel on Iraq weapons dossier Responses: 196 Israel fears Europe will break boycott of Hamas Responses: 94 Shmuel Rosner: What the U.S. really wants is a total Gaza invasion Responses: 13 I. Harel: Israeli Arabs creating de facto state within Israel's borders Responses: 3 Nadav Shragai: The lies used to justify the division of Jerusalem Responses: 3 Rosner's Domain What America wants from an operation in Gaza The only F-word people should be afraid of is fanaticism Are Palestinians like Kosovars? (WTR) Poll: Is it important to have an Israeli-Palestinian agreement by the end of 2008? The row over Obama's stance on Israel is a dispute between Jews More Headlines 10:34 Israel fears Europe will break boycott of Hamas 09:29 Report: U.K. gov't hid reference to Israel on Iraq weapons dossier 10:36 Peace Now: Israel denies Area C Palestinians building permits 11:33 MK Melchior said to have known of plan to breach Gaza border 08:56 U.S. victims of Palestinian terror await gov't stance on compensation 11:12 ANALYSIS: Threats of unilateral independence rocks sleepy peace talks 11:36 Rights group: Prisons Authority ignores medical needs of inmates 08:50 Haifa U. to punish students for memorial of October 2000 riots 05:53 Green Party hopes to reach Knesset by running in local elections 23:28 Russian-Israeli tycoon: Russian aliyah absorption unsuccessful Previous Editions Select Day 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb 08 feb 07 feb

Special Offers Advertisement 7589 rockets fired so far HELP US TO HELP THEM Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved