Washington v. Harper.

Abstract

Walter Harper, a mentally ill state prisoner, challenged the constitutionality of Washington's prison policy, contending that the involuntary administration of antipsychotic drugs without a judicial hearing deprived him of due process. State law permits involuntary medication only when a special committee of mental health professionals and prison officials finds that the inmate suffers from a mental disorder, when treatment is in his medical interest, and when the prisoner poses a danger to himself or others. Noting that Harper has a liberty interest in being free from the arbitrary administration of drugs, the U.S. Supreme Court found that the state's policy reasonably related to its legitimate interest in avoiding possible dangers posed by violent, mentally ill inmates. Moreover, due process does not require a judicial hearing before treatment, because the inmate's interests are better served where the decision to medicate is made by medical professionals and not by judges.