In the U.S. state of Tennessee, authorities have urged the court to deny a request by Christa Pike—who survived a botched lethal injection—to be moved from the prison infirmary to a unit with less restrictive conditions. While Pike is seeking a change to her confinement status, the prosecution opposes her request.
Christa Pike. Image © Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC)
“The court should reject her attempt to entangle the judiciary in the minutiae of prison administration and deny the relief sought,” the New York Post reports, citing the Tennessee prosecution’s arguments.
Authorities noted that Pike is still considered a highly dangerous inmate and, therefore, is not entitled to choose the conditions of her own confinement. She previously attempted to murder a cellmate and was also disciplined for an escape attempt. According to the prosecution, these circumstances preclude her transfer to the general prison population.
Eduardo Ortiz, the chief medical officer for the state’s Department of Correction, also opposed the transfer. He explained that Pike requires 24-hour medical supervision; outside the infirmary, medical staff would be unable to provide timely assistance should her condition suddenly deteriorate.
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