Man Died After Allegedly Being Denied HIV Meds in California Jail

[Jim Allen]

January 25, 2024 • By Laura Schmidt
https://www.poz.com/article/man-allegedly-died-denied-hiv-meds-california-jail

In February 2022, Nicholas Overfield, 38, was arrested for failing to appear in court. During his arrest, he informed officers of his HIV-positive status and need for antiretroviral medication to maintain his health.

Just two months later, Lesley visited her son in jail to find his health had rapidly declined to the extent that he was too weak to walk and had to use a wheelchair. The next day, Overfield was rushed to the hospital and transferred to hospice care soon thereafter.

“Medical records show that he was denied his prescribed HIV medication for the entire two months he was detained,” the lawsuit alleges.

[numbersguy82]

That’s just awful. I hope all of those involved face criminal charges. Unfortunately when we privatized our prison systems, and allowed private equity funds to base their bottom lines on the costs savings, this was the inevitable result. That poor man - what a terrible way to die.

[leatherman]

what a terrible situation.

I do have a couple other thoughts though that I'm afraid I won't find enough answers to complete the picture.

1. How was he getting meds prior to his incarceration? I ask because of his previous criminal and substance abuse issues, I wonder if his meds came through any ADAP program? ADAP should have noticed that he dropped out of care, or as is done here in SC, ADAP should already have access into the prison system to ensure patients have their medications.

2. What was his health status prior to this incarceration? If he was undetectable and >200 cd4s in Feb, his death in June wasn't due to not having medications. That's just too short of a time for that kind of change in health. 

[Jim Allen]

what a terrible situation.

2. What was his health status prior to this incarceration? If he undetectable and >200 cd4s in Feb, his death in June wasn't due to not having medications. That's just too short of a time for that kind of change in health.

Yeah, it's disgraceful.

I agree two months is very fast. That said, perhaps they had only just started treatment before being locked up or something. We don't know; I will keep an eye out for updates to this story, although most suits are settled, if possible though.