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Hold jail accountable

Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke stated in a July 16 Spokesman-Review article that the Spokane County jail is not a triage center. This was in response to growing concerns with four deaths at the jail in 2015.

I feel that Mielke’s statement is callous. Hence, he views county jail inmates as less than human; as cattle. The jail and its overseers (the Spokane County Commissioners Office) must be held accountable for the health, welfare and safety of inmates. They are members of the human race, and medical triage must be a health/safety mechanism implemented for each inmate entering, residing and leaving the jail.

I feel that members of the Spokane County Medical Association should sign a letter condemning the four deaths of inmates at the jail. Furthermore, personnel at the Spokane County Commissioners Office should be held responsible for the unwarranted loss of life.

Donald Winant

Spokane

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