Schizophrenic prisoner who gouged his left eye out wins huge £2m lawsuit
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A Schizophrenic prisoner has received £2million in compensation after gouging his own eye out in the midst of a mental health breakdown.
Ryan Partridge, who became convinced that the CIA had told him to commit the self-harming act, settled a federal lawsuit for more than £2million with Boulder County, Colorado, US.
The terrifying turn of events, which resulted in the prisoner going completely blind, has prompted the public to question the jail treatment of the mentally ill.
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Patridge, who'd been living on the streets, was originally arrested for engaging in a brawl with a fellow homeless man.
The American believes his spiral stemmed from being put in a cell on his own.
He told CBS News Colorado that he struggles severely with isolation and that if he had had company, things might have turned out differently.
He explained: "I don't like solitary. I don't think this would have happened had I not been in solitary."
Joe Pelle, who operated as the sheriff at Boulder County, when the incident took place, has alleged that he did not have the necessary authority to force prisoners to ingest their medication if they chose against it. He claims he tried to help those diagnosed with mental health issues as best he could.
However, it has now been proven that Partridge was not treated well in prison. Prior to the eye incident, guards repeatedly used excessive force on the inmate, who was awarded £256,000 as part of his overall settlement, after a clip showed personnel trying to subdue him while he was naked.
His safety was put at risk after he jumped off an elevated walkway on the second floor of his housing unit.
The settlement agreement states that Boulder County did not properly treat, examine, care or send Partridge for the requisite treatment.
The prisoner's attorney, David Lane, who claimed his client was tasered on one occasion, asserted: "It is hoped that this settlement sends a message to the Boulder Sheriff and law enforcement everywhere that when they ignore the serious psychiatric needs of inmates, it will cost them millions of dollars."
He continued: "The only thing they did to Ryan Partridge when he acted out in a psychotic state was to tase him and beat him and put him back into his cell. Our goal is to send a message to jailers and prison officials nationwide that when they are deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of inmates, it is going to cost them dearly."
An infuriated Pelle, says that a whopping 30% of his patients are diagnosed as mentally ill and should be held away from the prisoners without these issues.
He stated: "We're trying to treat them and stabilise them and keep them from self-harm before they can get into a hospital."
Partridge's mum is devastated with the mountain her son now faces, but she has every faith that he has the bravery to push through.
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