Two Jail Inmates Sue Sheriff

Delaware County Commissioners voted to receive and forward to the county's insurance
agency two civil actions filed in U.S. District Court, Northern District, by two jail
inmates, alleging that their medical needs are not being met. The action took place at the regular weekly meeting of the commissioners Monday, although the lawsuits were filed in February and March.

The two inmates, Dallas Leon Thompson and Tony D. DuVall are suing Sheriff Jay Blackfox and Stacy Pool, jail administrator, for "deliberate indifference" for failure to provide prompt medical attention and medications. In one case treatment was delayed four days; in another, the plaintiff alledges his pain narcotics were stolen, and the wrong prescription was administered sending him into convulsions. DuVall alleges he has a broken back and could have prostate cancer as well.

The recent Grand Jury, in its final report, noted its concern that the jail does not have a nurse on staff to monitor and administer inmate medications and track refusal of medication by inmates.