You are a psychiatrist on call with a state prison. You have been called in to examine an inmate who has been behaving erratically. Prison officials are concerned that he poses a danger to himself and others. They have confined him in a bare solitary cell to be sure he can't hurt himself, and have asked you to evaluate him. Immediately, you recognize an ethical dilemma. Your duty as a psychiatrist requires you to act in the best interests of your patient, but at the same time, you recognize that the prison setting brings with it certain duties that favor institutional security over patient rights.
In the end, the inmate refuses to consent to medication but you have determined that it is medically necessary for the inmate's safety and well-being that he be given the medication. According to the Supreme Court decision in Washington v. Harper , which of the following is correct?
A)Forcible administration of medication in this case would be unconstitutional.
B)Due process requires you to present your case to a judge and obtain an order to provide the medication.
C)You must obtain written permission from the inmate's legal representative or next of kin.
D)Forcible administration of medication in this case would be constitutional.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court decision in Washington v. Harper established that the forcible administration of medication to a prison inmate who has a serious mental illness and is a danger to himself or others can be constitutional if the decision is made following due process, which includes an administrative hearing within the prison system, rather than requiring a judicial decision.

You Are a Psychiatrist on Call with a State Prison