Witnesses: Tennessee inmate was denied care before death
By TRAVIS LOLLER Associated Press March 7, 2013 11:22AM
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Inmates at the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex say prison officials refused medical care to a 51-year-old man who died less than two days later.
According to accounts from inmates, Wayne Ruby went on Sept. 27 to the prison clinic, where he lay on the floor because of his pain. Witnesses say a guard accused Ruby of faking his illness to get pain medications, and he was sent back to his cell.
Records show Ruby was taken to the hospital the next day and died early Sept. 29, from pancreatitis — a severe inflammation of the pancreas likely caused by gall stones.
The state Department of Correction says that a review of Ruby’s death found he “received appropriate access to treatment.” Officials wouldn’t comment further.
