RI Prison Doctor “Reprimanded” After Admitting to Slapping Inmates on Buttocks After Medical Exams

RI Prison Doctor “Reprimanded” After Admitting to Slapping Inmates on Buttocks After Medical Exams

A Rhode Island doctor who worked at Rhode Island Correctional facilities has been cited for inappropriate behavior by the disciplinary board of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH). 

According to state documents, respondent Morris Paul Elevado, MD “specifically admitted to the ‘fist bumping’ and ‘slapping’ several inmates on the buttocks as they walked out of the examination room.”

“While Respondent did acknowledge making a comment to one of the patients about a digital rectal exam, he claimed it was not intended to be offensive, and was intended to make the patient laugh,” RIDOH continued. 

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The Department of Corrections Inspector filed the complaint in June of 2022, alleging there was misconduct against five inmates. 

According to the state, CCTV camera footage from the examination room “does demonstrate brief touching of the patients” and “the Committee determined the specific touching at issue was not related to clinical care, and was not clinically appropriate.”

Elevado received a “reprimand” from the RIDOH board, and is now required to pass the “Center for Personalized Education for Physician Ethics & Boundary” program at his own expense.