Hospital Refuses Inmates Until Security Improves

[Omaha Steve]

http://wjz.com/local/laurel.hospital.security.2.623171.html

LAUREL, Md. (WJZ/AP) ―

The parent company running two Maryland hospitals says they will not give Maryland inmates treatment unless it's an emergency. That's after an inmate's escape from Laurel Regional Hospital.

Kathryn Brown reports state police and correctional officers are reviewing their policies for transporting prisoners.

When inmate Kelvin Poke overpowered two correctional officers and shot his way out of Laurel Regional Hospital Wednesday, he shattered the security of the doctors, nurses and patients.

"We heard the hospital was on lockdown," said witness Navid Nouri.

In the wake of Poke's brazen escape and a similar one by another inmate in November, Laurel Regional Hospital and Prince George's Hospital Center, where Poke was later pronounced dead after a shootout with police, will no longer accept prison inmates except in emergency cases.

That's until the state overhauls security measures.

"It's not just a Laurel issue. We need to make sure that the transport of prisoners to hospitals anywhere in the state is done in a safe and secure manner," said Pegeen Townsend with the Maryland Hospital Association.

FULL story at link.

[midnight]

1. That's right. Improve security. My sister would have to take care of

cocaine addicts/dealers that would have to have their hearts monitored on the telemetry unit. She flat out refused to go into these rooms without security.