“I’m Not Taking That”
A competent detainee has the mental capacity and ability to make their own decisions. Competent detainees have a right to refuse medication and treatment in jail. An incompetent detainee does not have the mental capacity and ability to make their own decisions.
There is No Right to Medical Marijuana in Jail
As of April 2023, 38 states allow the use of medical marijuana in the free community. However, on the federal level, marijuana is still an illegal drug. As a result, jails cannot allow marijuana in jail because it violates federal law.
Hunger Strike: Happy Ending or Health Crisis?
When a hunger striker begins eating again, their body’s electrolytes can shift and cause refeeding syndrome. Refeeding syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition affecting someone’s heart and blood sugar, and can change how their body processes glucose, protein, fat, potassium, and magnesium¹.
Bad News Kills
Headlines about detainees attempting suicide after receiving bad news in court continue to pop up in the media. Unfortunately, that information may not be communicated to the jail’s custody and health care teams.