Baltimore Police Refused Healthcare for 2,600 Injured in Custody - Reports

Prisoners were turned away by police despite having broken bones, facial and head injuries.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Baltimore police refused medical attention to 2,600 prisoners who suffered injuries while in the city’s police custody, according to media reports on Monday.

“Between June 2012 and April 2013, 2,600 prisoners were turned away by correctional officers at Central Booking for broken bones, as well as serious facial and head injuries,” WUSA Channel 9, Washington, DC reported.

“All these people were sent to the jail without getting medical attention.”

The report also noted that Freddie Gray was refused a similar medical treatment after suffering injuries to his voice box, spine, and head, leading to his death.

On April 12, 2015, African-American Freddie Gray, 25, was arrested and died a week later as a result of spinal injuries he sustained in police custody.

The six officers involved in Gray’s arrest were charged on May 1, 2015 with assault, manslaughter, false imprisonment and misconduct in office.

Following Gray’s funeral on April 19, 2015, Baltimore saw a wave of violence. Protests over his death and against police brutality turned into riots, resulting in 15 destroyed buildings and 144 cars as well as looted stores.