NCJ Number
28419
Journal
Revue de science criminelle et de droit penal compare Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL-JUNE 1974) Pages: 269-293
Date Published
1974
Length
25 pages
Annotation
BRIEF HISTORY OF INMATE MEDICAL CARE IN FRANCE AND OVERVIEW OF LEGISLATION IN FORCE AND FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT PRESENT, PARTICULARLY IN REGARD TO ALCOHOLIC, DRUG ADDICT AND PSYCHOPATHIC OFFENDERS.
Abstract
PRESENT-DAY FRENCH LAW COVERING INMATE HEALTH CARE IS BASED ON THE PRINCIPLE THAT INMATES HAVE A RIGHT TO SUCH CARE. THIS IS A CONCEPT THAT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED ONLY RELATIVELY RECENTLY. PRISON DOCTORS ARE NOT FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES. THEY ARE UNDER CONTRACT TO THE CORRECTIONS ADMINISTRATION AND ARE PAID A FEE FOR EACH SERVICE THEY PERFORM. EVERY CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION HAS ITS OWN INFIRMARY, WHICH PROVIDES BASIC MEDICAL SERVICES SUCH AS INNOCULATIONS AND PERIODIC PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS. DETOXICATION TREATMENT OF ALCOHOLIC AND DRUG ADDICT INMATES IS GIVEN AT SOME INSTITUTIONS. THERE ALSO ARE MEDICAL-PSYCHOLOGICAL REGIONAL CENTERS WHERE PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT IS GIVEN. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE SPECIALIZED ESTABLISHMENTS FOR SURGICAL OPERATIONS, TUBERCULAR, PATIENTS, THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, ETC. FRENCH LAW ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE TREATMENT OF INMATES OUTSIDE THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM FOR AILMENTS THE SYSTEM IS UNABLE TO TREAT BECAUSE OF LACK OF FACILITIES OR QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. DISCUSSED ARE MEDICOLEGAL CONSIDERATIONS SUCH AS THE LEGAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AILING INMATE AND PRISON DOCTOR, THE LEGAL STATUS OF INMATES UNDERGOING TREATMENT IN A CIVILIAN ESTABLISHMENT, AND THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE DOCTOR'S PROFESSIONAL OBLIGATION TO TREAT INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM HIS PATIENT AS SECRET AND THE CORRECTIONS AUTHORITIES' NEED FOR THAT INFORMATION. --IN FRENCH