Gastronomic scandal in "Butyrka": the doctor was sued for extra rations to prisoners

Gastronomic scandal in "Butyrka": the doctor was sued for extra rations to prisoners


He will have to make amends

The Moscow court demanded that an employee of the Butyrka pre-trial detention center, who, at his own peril and risk, prescribed "extra rations" to prisoners suffering from tuberculosis, to compensate for the damage caused to the budget.

"Be kinder and more compassionate" - we, human rights activists, often address this phrase to jailers. And we also talk endlessly at various meetings about humanism and its impact on people behind bars. But the employees of the pre-trial detention center and colonies, alas, know what exactly such humanism can turn out for them.

I personally know many stories when jailers were punished for humanism. The slightest concession on their part in favor of the prisoners (they were given an extra mattress, they were allowed not to turn off the TV on a holiday after 22.00, etc.) will be severely suppressed if it is noticed by the prosecutor's office or the management commission of the Federal Penitentiary Service. Some cases, to say the least, were completely indicative.

So, the head of the women's SIZO No. 6 decided to organize joint yoga classes for prisoners and employees in the prison yard - and "earned" the prosecutor's decision. The head of the prison hospital "Matrosskaya Tishina" began to send sick prisoners to civilian clinics for examinations more often - he was accused of "exceeding official authority by improving the conditions of detention" (and sit behind bars yourself).

But to be punished for food - perhaps this is not remembered. The more interesting this story.

So, the place of the "crime" is SIZO No. 2 "Butyrka". In this isolation ward (as well as in any other) there are many sick people, including those with tuberculosis. Without going into details, I will say this: tuberculosis comes in different forms and patients go through different stages of therapy. So, according to the standards, additional nutrition is required for those who are currently taking serious (and what is there - toxic) drugs.

The head of the Butyrka medical unit, Barkhudinov, daily compiled lists of tuberculosis patients who should have been given increased rations. He included everyone who took at least some drugs. Actually, any civilian specialist will say that this is correct and even natural: people with tuberculosis in any form have a weakened body. In general, several dozen consumptives (I remind you that this disease was once called consumption) could, thanks to being included in this list, receive not just gruel, but something else tasty to boot.

Here is what is included in the additional daily ration in grams: sugar - 5, pasta - 10, poultry meat - 20, cow's butter - 20, wheat bread 50, vegetables - 50, meat - 50, cottage cheese - 50, juice - 100 ml and drinking milk - 250 ml. For that matter, the most common foods are not in the greatest quantities. Remarkably, most often tuberculosis patients are people without social ties, so there is simply no one to send them a package. And this additional ration is the only source of normal food for them (after all, it is not always possible to eat ordinary gruel because of its quality).

But then an inspection came to Butyrka, and the gloomy meticulous inspectors clung to the nutritional standards for tuberculosis patients. “And this was given in excess of the norm? Not allowed!"





The doctor quit. He was sued. The prison administration demanded that he pay for the damage caused by the fact that the prisoners "ate too much." The Zamoskvoretsky District Court satisfied the claim: “Barkhudinov M.D. it is allowed to provide convicts with food in excess of the established norms.” Themis ordered the doctor to pay for additional food for tuberculosis patients from his own pocket.

Budget money is ours with you. But it is unlikely that any of us would be indignant that a sick person in prison received an extra piece of sugar and a glass of milk. In the end, this is beneficial to society: the healthier such people are, the less likely they are to infect others and lead a marginal lifestyle after release. Actually, humanism is actually very beneficial to everyone. But he always loses in the fight against those who fanatically demand compliance with all norms and who see everything only in the short term.

Looking at the example of a doctor, now doctors in a pre-trial detention center will be afraid to prescribe therapeutic nutrition even to the most seriously ill. “But let’s save budget money!” - the next inspector will exclaim.



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