[MelodyL]

I know a woman who has a nephew in an upstate correctional facility. The young man is 22 and has been diagnosed with Schitzophrenia and bi polar disorder. They tried putting him in some kind of discipline program where you have to follow rules and regulations strictly by the book. He wasn't having any of that so they threw him out of that program. He has not been on ANY medication for months now.

His family is so concerned. He gets oral meds and on injection a month (she said the med begins with the letter H, so I guess Haldol??)

Anyway, they went up to the prison yesterday to visit him. He had not phoned them for a month nor were they allowed to visit him.

When they arrived and he was called out to meet his visitors, he walked right by them. His mother was crying. All family members were crying.

The prison's stand on this is that the inmate REFUSED to take his meds.

So finally because his mother was crying, the young man signed a form giving his mother power of attorney over his rights. I gather this is a medical waiver allowing his mother to make medical decisions for him??

I spoke to the aunt this morning. I said "what happened at the prison yesterday". She said "it was so sad, he said nothing to us the entire time we were there). They rode 8 hours on a bus to see him.

So I asked her 'what's the next step". She said 'Well now that the kid signed the form, his mother can make them forcibly give him his meds'.

I said 'Really??, they can do that?" She said yes.

And the prison officials told her that today he is supposed to be evaluated by doctors. I would have thought he as already evaluated when he got there.

So she asked me "Who do we need to write to to make sure he gets his meds"??

This is Mid State Correctional Facility in upstate NY.

So does anyone know a way to make it possible that this young man takes his meds? Does the fact that he signed the form, well does this have anything to do with this?

Can the mom make this happen? Can she write to ANYONE??

Thanks much

Melody
P.S. They can't phone him, he won't phone them, and he won't talk to anyone. So sad

[Spiney95]

I just saw this and was a bit curious as there are various different powers of attorney and laws vary from state to state. I know the patient could be forced to take a medication if he/she was presenting a threat to himself or those around him.

I understand how frustrating and frightening this can be. I had a loved one who had a borderline personality disorder with schizo affect. He could be wild as a March hare in front of the psychiatrist and little could be done because he was not suicidal. There were several times when I managed to get him hospitalized on a 72 hour observation and went home, thinking he was safe and I could get some rest. I would wake up the next morning to him knocking at the door. I never quite understood how someone admitted on an emergency observation basis was able to sign himself out but he did it several times.

[Jomar]

Even if she got them to force meds on the 22 yr old , if he still refused, how are they to do it , by force or trickery?

They might have to strap him down and he may get hurt in that process..

Tough situation for sure.

[This is Mid State Correctional Facility in upstate NY.

So does anyone know a way to make it possible that this young man takes his meds? Does the fact that he signed the form, well does this have anything to do with this?

Can the mom make this happen? Can she write to ANYONE??]

For this part the correction place should have a phone number for information or different departments, then keep asking until she gets the right person to talk to.
It might even have a website with contact info.

[MelodyL]

Well as of the other day he is taking his meds. I really do feel for the family. Thanks to all who replied. .
Much appreciated.
Melody