Waynesburg man files civil complaint against Greene County prison officials
A Waynesburg man has filed a civil complaint in federal court in Pittsburgh against the Greene County Prison warden and seven correctional officers at the prison alleging a violation of his constitutional rights.
A civil action filed on behalf of Lawrence Fowler, 38, alleges he was denied medical treatment by prison officials following an altercation with three inmates while he was incarcerated in 2012.
The suit alleges prison Warden Harry Gillespie and correctional officers, identified as John Does 1-7, violated Fowler’s 8th and 14th U.S. Constitutional amendment rights, subjecting him to cruel and unusual punishment after failing to honor Fowler’s numerous requests for medical treatment.
Fowler was jailed in Fayette County Prison in July after he pleaded guilty to driving an unregistered vehicle. In September, due to overcrowding in Fayette, he was transferred to Greene County Prison, where Fowler alleges he sustained a serious injury to his left elbow following the Oct. 1 assault.
According to the civil complaint, Fowler was in pain and requested medical treatment for his injury from John Does 1 and 2, but was denied.
Instead, the suit alleges, Fowler was transferred to the restricted housing unit (RHU) as punishment for his involvement in the altercation.
The correctional officers indicated in their report that outside medical treatment for Fowler was not necessary.
While in the prison’s RHU, Fowler also requested medical assistance from John Does 3-7 but was repeatedly denied, the complaint states.
The suit alleges Fowler submitted multiple written requests for medical assistance but his requests were ‘unanswered.’
The complaint further states Fowler was allegedly advised the he was not entitled to medical treatment because he was a Fayette County prisoner and Greene County Prison was not obligated to provide medical treatment.
On Oct. 4, three days after the alleged assault, Fowler was evaluated by a physician in the prison infirmary and diagnosed with a serious injury, which required X-rays.
The complaint alleges prison officials in Greene County refused to conduct the X-rays and transferred Fowler back to Fayette County the following day.
Fayette County prison medical staff determined Fowler required outside medical treatment, and he was immediately released from custody on a medical furlough, the complaint states.
Fowler underwent surgery on a fractured elbow at Uniontown Hospital on Oct. 16, according to the civil complaint.
The civil suit seeking punitive damages in excess of $75,000, alleges prison officials acted with deliberate indifference to the serious medical needs of an incarcerated individual in an effort to reduce costs, causing Fowler sustained pain and suffering.