I recently messaged Qadgop the Mercotan about how prescription medication are distributed in the prison system. I wondered about how things like diabetic medicines are given out.
He said that if I started a thread about this issue I could use his reply. It was very interesting and long, and I am, with permission, using part of his reply. If and when Qadgop comes into this thread Im sure he will reply to more questions.
I’ve plenty of time, I’m retired and loving it!!
Not the first time I got this question, either.
In the Wisconsin prison system, most inmates are allowed to keep the ‘non-abusable’ medicines on their person, hence known as ‘KOP’ meds. Glipizide, metformin, losartan, albuterol and most other common meds are handled this way. The inmate can store the meds in their lockable trunk, and take them as prescribed. Or not. How often they order refills is tracked, and on occasion their trunk gets inspected and if they’re found to be hoarding meds rather than taking them (re-ordering them despite not using them) then there are consequences.
But other meds are either controlled by officer staff or nursing, depending on what they are and how well staffed a prison is with nurses.
I don’t know how many Dopers have worked in the prison system, if anyone else can chime in on what they have seen being done I’d be interested in hearing from them My original question asked about diabetic meds, but I also gained infor about other drugs.