What action should an officer take when an inmate refuses treatment?

When an inmate refuses treatment, it is crucial for an officer to document the refusal accordingly. Proper documentation serves multiple purposes: it provides a record of the inmate's decision, which is important for legal and medical reasons, and protects the agency and personnel from liability. This documentation can serve as evidence that the inmate was informed of the treatment options, the consequences of refusal, and that their wishes were respected.

Keeping a clear and accurate record helps ensure that all interactions and decisions made regarding an inmate's health are transparent and can be reviewed later if needed. It also ensures that there is an official account should the inmate's health deteriorate or if there are any subsequent legal inquiries about treatment.

While informing the inmate of possible consequences is important, the primary action taken should always be to document the refusal to create an official record of the situation. Forcing treatment on an inmate raises ethical and legal concerns and ignoring the refusal is not a responsible or appropriate action for an officer.