By JOHN REYNOLDS
The State Journal-Register
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A nationally recognized expert on medical care in correctional facilities will be examining the operations of the Sangamon County Jail’s medical unit.
Dr. Ronald Shansky of Chicago is expected to begin his review in early March. He was contacted by county officials after a rash of deaths at the county jail.
“We are going to ask him to review the medical facility, look at the operation of it, and see if it’s being operated properly,” said Ted Buecker, a county board member who chairs the jail committee.
Shansky has evaluated medical and mental health programs in jails and prisons in more than 30 states, according to information from the county.
Shansky has worked at the federal jail in Chicago, as medical director of the Illinois Department of Corrections, and has taught on the faculty of the University of Illinois School of Medicine.
Shansky will report his findings to Buecker and Doris Turner. Buecker is a Republican, and Turner, also a member of the jail committee, is Democratic floor leader of the county board.
The two will share Shansky’s report with Sheriff Neil Williamson and the other 27 county board members.
Turner said the inquiry into the jail won’t end with Shansky’s report.
“I think it’s important that we have an expert’s opinion for us to begin the process,” she said.
Buecker said Tuesday he did not know the exact amount Shansky will be paid.
Last month, Williamson asked Buecker to assemble a review committee to look at medical procedures at the jail. County officials decided hiring Shansky would bring more expertise to the study.
There have been three recent deaths of jail inmates.
* Maurice L. Burris, 50, reportedly complained of pain Dec. 1 and collapsed in the jail’s medical unit Dec. 4. He had surgery to treat a ruptured bowel, but died Dec. 12.
* Bobby Ray, 38, died Sept. 28 in the jail, where he was being held in a high-risk cell because of severe alcohol withdrawal. His death certificate says he died of “a change in the fatty part of the liver,” a reference to cirrhosis, which can be caused by heavy drinking. His family contends his death was a result of not having medication over the course of his stay to control symptoms from alcohol withdrawal.
* A. Paul Carlock, 57, who performed as Klutzo the Clown, died Nov. 16 after reportedly refusing to comply with correctional officers. A coroner’s jury was unable to determine a specific cause of death after hearing testimony indicating Carlock had coronary artery disease, had struggled with jail staff, had been shocked with a Taser and had one correctional officer lie across his shoulders.
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