ICE Detainee Sues Over Alleged Mistreatment at Indiana Facility
Allegations of Mistreatment at Indiana Detention Facility
Andranik Grigoryan, a former detainee at Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana, has filed lawsuits alleging severe mistreatment. He claims that after missing his epilepsy medication, he suffered a seizure and was left in a pool of blood by correctional officers. The suits, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, target Centurion Health of Indiana and unidentified Indiana Department of Correction officers.
Medical Care Complaints
The complaint against Centurion argues that staffing shortages frequently disrupted medication schedules, leaving Grigoryan without his required doses of Keppra, an anti-seizure drug. On January 22, he experienced a significant seizure, leading to a head injury and hospital treatment. Grigoryan reports repeated medication omissions, including a period when the facility allegedly ran out of Keppra.
Use of Force Incident
A separate lawsuit concerns the incident upon Grigoryan’s hospital return. Correctional officers allegedly ordered his transfer despite his seizure-related symptoms. When he questioned the move, officers purportedly sprayed him with pepper spray through a cuffport, causing pain and breathing difficulties. Grigoryan claims he was restrained without a chance to cleanse himself from the irritating spray.
Rights Violation Claims
Both suits cite violations of the 14th Amendment, arguing denial of proper medical care and unjustifiable force. The ACLU of Indiana, representing Grigoryan, emphasizes his right to adequate care and protection as a civil immigration detainee.
What happened to Mr. Grigoryan was cruel and unconstitutional.– Ken Falk, ACLU of Indiana
Context of Detention Facility Issues
These lawsuits spotlight broader concerns about the Miami Correctional Facility, where two detainees died earlier this year. Criticism has emerged over medical treatment, with reports such as Cambodian national Lorth Sim, who allegedly did not receive necessary diabetes medication leading to his death, and Vietnamese national Tuan Van Bui, who died while in custody.