"These are men and women suffering in jails, prisons, 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
"The eighth amendment provides prisoners with limited rights of protection against cruel and unusual punishment during the course of confinement. These rights extend to the existence of humane living conditions, adequate medical care, and protection from violence by other inmates." -- ofp.gov/prison-overcrowding-eightn-amendments
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 Jail, in Bowling Green, Kentucky has had to endure. Thank you for reading!
(To the Department of Corrections: Information Service Branch)
JANUARY 23, 2022
To whom it may concern,
Thank you for your time and your help. I'm writing in Regards to the Medical at the WARREN County Jail, in Bowling Green Ky.
***The medical care here is very poor, almost NONE.
I have a heart condition, I had a Quaddroople bypass. in 2018 with severe complications the jail is aware of this but they don't want to help me!
***I put in a Medical request on Sept 19th, 21 for chest Pains - weakness. shortness of breath and Night sweats. didn't hear anything for a while so I asked the female Guard "Boyd" that helps medical about it, she said she didn't know so I asked what did I have to do have a heart attack and die first. she actually smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
Finally NOV 5th Got to see the Doctor. They did an X Ray - EKG. Echo-Cardiogram and bloodwork on the 8th 9th 10th, Got results back Fairly Quick and It turned out my EKG was abnormal this was around the 19th, and was told I needed to see a cardiologist,
well here it is JAN 23 and NOTHING. I think they want me to Die or get out I don't Know but I'm a state inmate, and I need help I should get (? out ?) in about 4 or 5 months. But I'm still having those problems. I've put in Greivances and everything I could do with No Response.
Thank you for your time,
**********
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RESPONSE: (From Harley Allen, Jail Services Specialist, Division of Local Facilities)
*********,
Your letter regarding your concerns at the Warren County Regional Jail was forwarded to this office for review and response.
The Kentucky Department of Corrections does NOT have regulatory authority or oversight of medical treatment. ***The medical staff are operating under their state issued medical license and are bound by the tenets of that license.
However, based on your reported medical condition, I have communicated with Jailer Stephen Harmon and was informed that you were seen by the ARNP at the facillty on November 19, 2021. On that date you were scheduled for an outside appointment with a cardiologist.
The first available appointment at that time was January 19, 2022 but, due to a COVID outbreak, the jail had to CANCEL and reschedule said appointment.
***For security reasons, I will NOT be providing you with the date of your upcoming cardiologist appointment.
In your letter, you allege that you asked a female deputy jailer named "Boyd" about your medical request and after she told you she did not know you made the statement "what did I have to do -- have a heart attack and die first". You further went on to CLAIM that this deputy jailer "actually smile and shrugged her shoulders".
Since you wrote this in a letter addressed to the Kentucky Department of Corrections then it appears you are asserting staff misconduct on the part of this deputy jailer. Alleged misconduct by jail employees are issues that need to be addressed by the Jailer and/or his designee.
***The Kentucky Department of Corrections has no jurisdiction over staff at county facilities. As such, I am advising Jailer Harmon, via a copy of your letter and this response letter, of your concern regarding staff so he may address accordingly.
Sincerely,
Harley Allen -- Jail Services Specialist, Divison of Local Facilities
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CONCLUSION:
The conclusion of the matter is this:
There are laws in place to protect the humane treatment of people being held in jails, prisons and cages; but across our nation there is great dereliction of duty as to the medical needs of those forgotten souls. This allows those in charge of men, women and children to mistreat, abuse and retaliate against them. It's high time that "JAIL STANDARDS" are AMENDED and ENFORCED throughout our nation.
In this case of "Story #4" . . . this person was DESPERATELY trying to find SOMEONE who would LISTEN & ACT UPON their deepest concerns. Concerns that were largely being ignored by jail staff.
In all fairness, the jail staff DID make an appointment and did get some testing done, but in this case just like so MANY others in this jail it is spaced many months apart and after filing multiple grievances that all but miraculously disappear.
Basic life saving treatments such as cancer screenings, asthma & diabetes medications, gun shot wounds not being handled appropriately, pregnancy complications ignored and mental health crisis are definitely ignored.
Story #4 was having all of the common symptoms of possible heart failure and was allegedly mocked by jail staff. When #4 did what they were advised and wrote to the Department of Corrections, they did a little checking into it . . . and "mirrored" their complaint so that the person felt heard. They were then sent right back to JAILER STEVE HARMON, who can't manage tieing his own shoes, let alone to run a respectable jail. Why is he the JAILER STILL with SO MANY people's health being adversely affected!?
Run around -- Run around. Out of Sight -- Out of Mind. These are the FORGOTTEN people of America.
Thank you for reading!
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