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PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI – Former and current inmates at Michigan's only women's prison said their jailers were responsible for a major scabies epidemic that has hit hundreds of inmates.
Rebecca Smith, 44, who was convicted of murder in 2010 at the Huron Valley Women's Detention Center in Pittsfield Township, filed a class action suit this week against the Michigan Department of Corrections and other inmates unnamed
While the lawsuit claims that the spread began in 2017, the MDOC has publicly acknowledged the problem of the parasite mite only this year, when the facility was temporarily closed to visitors.
Closure of a Michigan jail for scabies treatment
This decision comes after 39 prisoners were infested with a rash lasting one year.
The closure came after 39 prisoners were found infested with a one-year rash at the prison, said a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Corrections, Chris in January. Gautz.
In January, 224 prisoners were to begin treatment by about forty-four hours.
The complaint, filed in the Federal Court Thursday, April 11 by the Rochester Hills-based lawyer, revealed that prison administrators had failed to properly screen new detainees or treat those who were affected by the crime. scabies.
"Scabies infestation causes ceaseless and unbearable itching, especially at night," says the trial. "The rash causes scales, blisters, bleeding and open sores caused by scraping.
"Rashes caused by scabies infestation are easily distinguishable from other skin diseases because of the appearance of skin-shaped burrows, which are created when female mites burrow into the skin. tunnel under the surface of the skin. "
The inmates say that their guards ignored their requests for medical treatment, sometimes blaming them for washing their clothes in their cells and in at least one case "simply advised the (inmate) to change the soap".
Mysterious skin rash hits 200 prisoners as authorities boost reaction
An estimated 192 prisoners are being held at the Huron Valley Women's Detention Center, a mysterious rash, compared to about 115 reported by the authorities in early October.
Scabies represents at least part of the rash outbreak at Michigan Women's Prison
The number of cases should increase. Nearly 200 rashes were reported in November.
Prison authorities initially dismissed scabies with dermatologist tests and evaluations in February and March 2018, Gautz said.
The MDOC refused to comment on the trial, under its policy of not commenting on ongoing litigation.
Complete complaint:
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