"These are men and women suffering in jails, prison, camps and cages around our country. Please sign this petition to show support and demand change for these loved ones behind the wall." -- Justice Warriors
It is true that medical care for DIABETICS in our nations prisons and jails is severely lacking. The 8th Amendment is supposed to protect men, women and children from the physical and mental harm caused by poor medical care and neglect. However, studies show that this is not the case for MANY. Humans should NOT have to beg jail staff, jailers and Department of Corrections to treat them humanely. The following story highlights what one person at Warren County Regional Jail, in Bowling Green, Kentucky has had to endure. Thank you for reading!
October 6, 2020
To whom it may concern, (this was forwarded to Mark Bohleber)
Hello. My name is ******* and I am a state inmate at the Warren county Regional Jail in Warren County, Bowling Green. I have a few medical issues I need help with and I'm hoping you can help me. To begin with, I am a type 2 diabetic and not insulin dependent. To control my condition, I take Glipizide and Metformin. I have no issues with the Glipizide but with the Metformin, I have severe digestive distress when I take the regular type of Metformin.
Becuase of this my doctor I had on the outside prescribed an extended release Metformin that I don't have any issues with. The medical company that the jail uses (SOUTHERN HEALTH PARTNERS) says they CAN'T or WILL NOT give me this alternate medication.
I am wanting to know from you, the Department of Corrections if you actually DO or DO NOT cover the 500 mg or 1000mg extended release Metformin in the D.O.C.'s formulary list.
I know from my own experience that the 1000mg extended release is extremely expensive so I took 4 - 500 mg pills instead and did not cost me any more than the regular drug. So what I am needing to know is if the D.O.C. does cover the Metformin ER and if you do, what process do I need to follow to get the jail to provide me with this medication?
I would also like to get a copy of the D.O.C. formulary list of approved medications if this is possible. I would also ask for some type of response from you as well one way or the other so I can make sure this letter does not get sidetracked from the jail.
I appreciate your time with this matter and any help you can provide.
Sincerely Yours,
**********
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RESPONSE: From Mark Bohleber, Jail Services Specialist
Kentucky Department of Corrections
October 30, 2020
**********.
I have received your recent letter you have sent regarding your incarceration at the Warren county Regional Detention Center.
The Warren county Regional Detention Center CONTRACTS with SOUTHERN HEALTH PARTNERS which is responsible for providing medical care at the facility.
***The licensed medical professionals employed by that company are responsible for making all medical treatment decisions.
While the Department of Corrections CANNOT dictate the medical treatment provided to you, as a regulatory agency, we have investigated your concerns to ensure compliance with Jail Standards with regards to necessary medical care.
***No violations of jail standards were found.
Please continue to follow the procedure at the jail for submitting requests for medical care when needed.
The Department of Corrections does NOT make available a list of medications available to inmates as that list would be different per each provider assigned to each institution regarding their preference of medications used to treat various medical issues.
No violations of the KY Jail Standards have been observed in this complaint.
If you have any further regarding this or other issues at the jail, please address those concerns with the staff at the facility prior to corresponding with this office.
Sincerely,
Mark Bohleber, Jail Sercies Specialist, KY DOC
CC: KATLYNN A. JORDAN, ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST I
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CONCLUSION:
As you can see, BLAME IS SHIFTED back to the medical provider that the jail has CONTRACTED with, and in this case it was Southern Health Partners. Can you imagine being locked up behind bars and in most cases, having no clue whatsoever of when you will be released. You are at their mercy for necessary medical care and in many cases this is life altering and for some is deadly.
It appears as though these "JAIL SERVICE SPECIALISTS" are merely copying and pasting a standard letter to each complaint they get. Seldom do they develop into an actual investigation. Generally speaking, most of the letters I have in my possession from this jail in Warren County, basically say the same thing -- with a few variations.
In this case the DIABETIC person mentioned above was told to talk to the medical provider, of which this person had already stated they had, but with no resolution. This is WHY the person wrote to the Kentucky DOC to begin with!
Imagine if you will, being use to a powerful diabetic medication and then being refused your meds and given one that causes great abdominal distress. Out of sight -- Out of mind. These are the forgotten people in America!
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STAY TUNED FOR STORY #3 . . . . . .
Thank you!