What is the legal duty of a correctional officer if an inmate reports chest pain?

• A. They should document the report and wait for medical staff.
• B. They should contact the inmate’s family.
• C. They must ensure the inmate receives medical attention.
• D. They should ignore the report until the nurse arrives.

Answer: (C)

Prompt action to medical evaluation is required when an inmate reports chest pain. Chest pain can signal a life-threatening condition such as a heart attack, so the officer’s immediate duty is to ensure the inmate receives prompt medical attention. This means summoning medical staff or emergency services without delay and arranging transport or on-site care as protocols require, while continuing to monitor the inmate’s condition and prevent harm.

Documentation and awaiting only medical staff or nurse arrival do not replace the duty to act quickly to secure care. Contacting the inmate’s family is not part of the immediate safety and medical response, and ignoring the report until someone arrives could lead to serious harm and potential liability. The emphasis is on timely access to medical evaluation and treatment to protect the inmate’s health and the facility from liability for neglect or indifference.