Medical Care at Rikers Is Delayed for Thousands, Records Show
The New York Times
A court filing on Tuesday shed new light on the effect of the city jail system’s staffing crisis on health care, with missed appointments leading to severe health consequences.
It started with a toothache.
A 25-year-old man taken into custody last winter asked New York City jail officials if he could see a dentist for cavities. But his consistent requests for care went unanswered, according to court records and lawyers for the man, even as it became difficult for him to eat and sleep because of the pain.
His mouth became infected, leaking blood and pus. He was in agony by the time he finally saw a dentist last month, nearly a year since he first requested medical treatment. He was told he would need extensive surgery.
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