An ex-inmate at the Pittsburg County Jail filed a $5-million lawsuit over claims of negligence during his time at the facility. The prison staff allegedly mocked his 91-hour erection and failed to give appropriate medical attention.

91-Hour Erection

On Dec. 15, 2016, Dustin Lance was detained at the Pittsburg County Jail in Oklahoma when he ingested an "unidentified pill" from a fellow inmate. The next day, he began complaining to the prison staff of "unbearable pain" due to a prolonged erection. His plea was allegedly ignored and was even met with mockery.

It was only 91 hours after on Dec. 19 that the prison staff heeded his request and sent him to McAlester Regional Hospital. Unfortunately, doctors at the hospital stated that they could not do anything to aid his condition and suggested that he immediately see a urologist at Tulsa instead, something that was not done as he was sent back to the county jail instead.

Dead And Suing

While the consequences of Lance's experience are unclear, he has evidently decided to file the $5-million lawsuit as a result of the mockery and negligence to provide him with urgent medical assistance. Strangely, the county officials filed a motion last Tuesday seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed stating that the plaintiff is dead when Lance's lawyer states that he is still very much alive.

For now, the pill that Lance took is still unconfirmed and so is the reason for why the defendants thought he was already dead.

The defendants in the case include the Pittsburg County sheriff, a nurse, and three deputies.

Persistent Erection

Priapism or persistent erection is the condition wherein an erection persists for hours even without sexual arousal. It is an uncommon condition, but it said to be more common among men in their 30s. This condition is said to be painful and occurs when the normal blood flow to the penis changes.

Blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia and leukemia can contribute to the condition and so can alcohol and illicit drug use. Injuries to the pelvis or penis may also lead to the condition as a result of excessive blood flow.

In Lance's case, the likely culprits are illicit drug use or certain prescription medications especially since he was unaware of the contents of the pill he ingested. Prescription medications such as antidepressants, blood thinners, alpha blockers, injectables used to treat erectile dysfunction, and hormones can also lead to priapism. In fact in 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) even warned the public about the possibilities of long-lasting erections as a result of ADHD medications.