Inmate Medical Rights: Federal Prison Treatment & Legal Protections

Federal law prohibits federal prisons from refusing basic medical treatment to inmates. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that inmates have a right to receive health care that is both necessary and adequate, and that this right includes the provision of basic medical treatment. The Bureau of Prisons has a series of policies and procedures in place to ensure that inmates receive the medical care they need, including a grievance process that inmates can use if they believe they have been denied medical care.