Inmates Sue Dep't. Of Corrections, Allege "Cruel, Unusual Punish - WRIC Richmond News and Weather -

Inmates Sue Dep't. Of Corrections, Allege "Cruel, Unusual Punishment"

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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Five inmates at a Virginia women's prison are suing over what they claim is unconstitutionally inadequate medical care.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in federal court in Charlottesville against the state Department of Corrections and Armor Correctional Health Services Inc. The company provides medical care at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women.

The inmates allege that care is so deficient that it violates the U.S. Constitution's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. They claim plaintiffs suffer prolonged pain and deterioration of their health. The complaint says some inmates have died because of shoddy care.

The Virginia attorney general's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A voice mail greeting on an Armor spokeswoman's cell phone said she was traveling in an area with no reception and was unreachable.

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