As a registered nurse at La Plata County Jail, I take issue with the story regarding deficient medical care provided to the inmates of La Plata County Jail (Herald, Oct. 16).

All Sheriff’s Office staff – detentions and medical – are as professional as any I have worked with. They are dedicated to the safety and well-being of this community and exhibit the same dedication to overseeing the incarcerated citizens of this facility.

Imagine trying to guard, protect and care for the following examples of citizens under our supervision: The alcoholic entering jail with a blood alcohol content of .350; or the methamphetamine addict bouncing off the walls, wanting to fight anything or anyone in sight; or the mentally ill; or the hardened criminal types, accused murderers, rapists, thieves; or take your pick of offenders coming through these doors. Imagine yourself being responsible for providing safety and medical care for this segment of our county’s population. Guess what, you can’t until you are in the trenches providing it.

I joined this facility two years ago, with 17 years of prior nursing background. To date, this is the most challenging arena of nursing practice I have experienced. In attempting to obtain an accurate health picture of these citizens, I find an all-too-common habit of inmates manufacturing stories and conditions in order to obtain drugs and care via the system. Many – not all – but many inmates/patients, are pathological and/or habitual liars and wouldn’t know the truth if it fell on them. They just want something to ease their stay in jail. This expected free care is your tax dollars at work. It is the ultimate entitlement mentality.

Detentions and medical staff are responsible to evaluate available information at hand and make professional judgments to provide the safest and most effective care or treatment to these individuals. This happens 365 days a year for approximately 2,000 incarcerated individuals processed here each year.

So before you pass judgment on this sheriff, and this department, consider this advice: Withhold judgment on another until you have walked a mile or more in that person’s shoes.

Brandon Day

Durango