Wisconsin Prison Psychiatrists License Suspended After Prisoners Death
Wisconsin Prison Psychiatrists License Suspended After Prisoners Death
by Gary Hunter
Yoges Pareek, had his medical license suspended by the Wisconsin Examining Board in October 2005. Pareek is a former psychiatrist at the Waupun Correctional Institution (WCT). He was found guilty of negligence in the death of a prisoner under his care.
In spite of his patient's bizarre behavior, Pareek allowed the man to discontinue his psychotropic medications. Records indicate that Pareek was fully aware of his patient's psychotic episodes. The doctor also failed to notify guards that the prisoner was off his medication and they should be on alert for irrational behavior.
From March to July 1998 the WCI prisoner demonstrated incidents of destructive behavior and self mutilation. At one point he required stitches after he repeatedly beat his head against a wall. On July 29, 1998 the prisoner committed suicide in his cell.
Pareeks defense was that, by law, he could not require the prisoner to take medication. He maintained that this option was left solely to the patient.
On March 11, 2003 the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin rejected Pareeks reasoning and held that treatment of a mentally ill prisoner is properly the doctor's duty.
At the time of this report Pareek was employed at the Fond du Lac County Department of Community Programs. Fond du Lac County Executive Allen Buechel said he was not aware of Pareeks legal problems.
The judgment against Pareek included the payment of $6,000 in court costs, 20 hours of continuing education in institutional psychiatry and suicide prevention. Pareeks license to practice medicine and surgery was suspended for 2 years.
Source: The Reporter
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