An inmate in AZ DOC has been deprived of his medical records and just found out that the system knew that he's had liver cancer for 4 years now. They deprived him of that knowledge and treatment. He is in an advanced stage of both hepc and liver cancer now, and they are not treating him. What can I do to find him some help? Also need legal advice on this for him. Thanks. This is a very urgent matter, so all advice would help a lot.

Oh my God!
I don't have any advice exactly, but I am an RN and very disturbed by this! I haven't heard of anyone living with a diagnosis of liver cancer for 4 years, especially without treatment. It usually moves quite quickly. It may be that he had the HepC first, and later developed the liver cancer. That is usually how it goes. But regardless, there is no excuse for this!

Can he obtain the name of the MD that diagnosed him? Or even who ordered the labs? I realize that DOC is different, but there are new laws giving every person the right to view their medical records. If he could view them he could get the names, etc. There is nothing in the law that I have read that says that prisoners are excluded from viewing their medical records. But I am no lawyer....

Maybe contact the Medical Board. They are probably on line in Az as they are in California. Turn the sucker in.

I realize that this is kind of health care treatment is a system (DOC) problem and not just one doctor who screwed up, but ultimately the MD is responsible. That's the bottom line in health care and it's the doctor that takes the hit when malpractice and neglegence occurs.

Also, if you can find out who licenses the health care facilities in the AZ system and file a compliant, they will be all over them doing a deep inspection like stink on S$!t. In California, it is the California Department of Health Services, licensing division. Here they would be all over it like a cat on a rat. And with an urgency....like tomorrow! Prison or not.

If you get them from both angles (get the board on the doc's butt and get state licensing on the prison health care system's butt) you can make a difference for the next guy.

And this is definitely 60 minutes material...definitely. Have you thought about contacting a network news show?

As for getting him treatment there, I am new to the system (and not in Az) so I'm at a loss as to how the system works to make that happen. I am sorry.

I do know that he has the right to be comfortable and to die with dignity. Whether incarcerated or not. I can guarantee that the minute the medical board and licensing start snooping he will get excellent treatment, but it might be nice if it could happen now.

Geez, this makes me crazy!!!!!!!

I wish I could be more help. Hopefully someone who understands the system will come along and help firgure out how to get him quality treatment now.

My thoughts are with you....

unfortunatley i am not qulaified to give legal advice, but i would suggest a consultation with an attorney ASAp. If you do not have already, get him to give power of attorney to you and to sign relase of confidentiality papers otherwise you will run into all kinds of roadblocks- this is a horrible injustice and I hope you get results soon. I also agree with contacting the medical board and head honchos in your state about lack of medical teratment.Good luck!

Thanks to you both for your ideas, feedback and kindness. Yes, I will do all of those things, and time is of the essence. I work full-time, so this is all going to be done in free time that I will have to find. Again, both of your messages are so helpful. He has no money, so that just adds to the mix. The health stats on this say that approximately 35%-50% of inmate populations have hep c!!!! Please keep in touch if you think of any other ideas.

This is only the tip of the iceberg where crappy medical care in prisons goes. The prisons know that society has a tough attitude about prisoners and they figure they can get away with all kinds of medical neglect-------and they can and do! If you knew the whole of it, crstdrvn, you'd be totally sickened and outraged. It's heartbreaking the pain, sickness, misery and suffering that prisoners go through and many of them don't even have anyone on the outside to appeal to for help. Even those who do manage to get the attention of a friend or relative out here don't get much relief usually. When the Beast has devoured someone, they're at its mercy totally, and loved ones out here are so helpless to do anything about it.

Yes, I know how corrupt the system is. Unfortunately, I know all that and more. It's a mess inside the system and what the DOC's get away with is oftentimes worse than what some of the offenders have done who are incarcerated. Some states are worse than others. NV and AZ are unreal. They are accountable to no one and get away with so much.

I wonder if things changed at some point? In the late 80's I had a client who had been in prison in TX and a heroin user. They sent him here to the Hazelden foundation for chep dep treatment. Then his brother, also from prison in TX joined him. He had HepC from contamnated needles. He said he had gained weight and gotten better in prison, because he had good medical care there, all the expensive meds, etc. Or maybe I got this all wrong and he got good medical when he came here for treatment? Unfortunately, they both started using again.

Hi Holley!

I think it varies per state and budget. Also, hep c is contracted in many ways - tattoo needles, not just drugs. Among other ways.

Medical care in arizona for this same person? Well, let's put it this way. He broke his finger playing basketball. Due to their neglect in operating quickly, and their other neglectful ways, he now has very little use of that finger - it's bent and limited use of his hand.

They make the inmates pay per medical visit. They've taken away all of their personal property, including typewriters so they can't even file legit lawsuits. No law library. And the list goes on and on. They are doing triple bunking in the small cells. Their electricity goes out routinely and they have no coolers for over 100 degree weather. and on and on.

I'm at a loss with this medical care situation. It's beyond belief. I know CA provides better care, from the stories I've heard. I'd afraid to call attention to him because of possible retribution.


We'll see.

Are you aware of the Middle Ground Advocates? They are the watchdogs for AZ DOC Anyway I know that they do take these cases and whether or not they will wave fees, I don't know. Check it tho

Middle Ground Prison Reform.
Mailing address: 139 East Encanto Dr. Tempe, AZ 85281;
Phone: (480) 966-8116, Fax: (480) 966-3885
PROGRAMS: Advocacy, litigation, and referral information for families who have a member in prison. Also offers
public education and training seminars for families coping with imprisonment; lobbies for criminal justice and
prison reform; litigates for the rights of prisoners and their supporters; publishes a periodic newsletter; and
provides specialized paralegal services for inmates and their families; represents prisoners at Clemency Board
hearings. Fees charged for some individualized advocacy work. Conducts workshops and activities.

Middle Ground may be contacted at: middlegroundprisonreform@msn.com or visit the web site at www.middlegroundprisonreform.org.

That is the most current information I have

Good Luck My husband is at Eyman-Cook and has had big problems with medical as well DOC jjust doesn't care. My husband got a razor wire cut at work, and they initially put a bandaid on it. Hours later they finally took him to the dr for 10 stitches They charge $3 to signn up to see the dr whether you are seen or not. If you have no $, they put a negative amt on your books, so if you do get something, ito goes to them.

You are right to be concerned about retribution; that most likely would happen from what I have heard Let us know what happens

LeFay

Yes, I found middle ground last weekend. I wrote to them and they wrote back with very helpful advice. This is a beyond-awful situation. A real nightmare.

Thanks so much for writing. This same person broke his finger playing basketball about a year and a half ago. The system neglected it and when they attended to it, did it wrong. The finger is permanently bent and semi-useable. It affects his entire hand. Now he has limited use of the hand.

Yes, they charge him also. It's amazing. No money, but charged for services incorrectly rendered. If he were out and looking for a job, he'd only be able to limited things due to this hand/finger fiasco.

Now, however, this is a life and death situation. Good luck to you and your husband. Again, I appreciate that you took the time to reply with that info.

In talking to my Husband yesterday, it seems that the DOC Director is making big promises. She was at eyman yesterday and talked to the prisoners What about contacting her office? It may be a long shot, but at least it directed toward someone who could do something

Good Luck!
LeFay

I just heard the same thing about her. I believe in long-shots working out well. I also think that this director, who's supposed to be more prisoner-friendly, was brought in for a reason. Arizona DOC is notorious and I think they are trying to clean up their image. Thanks again.

I'd love to know if there are other places like Middle Ground, but in VA?? Anyone know?

Thanks!

No, I don't know of anything in that state, but will let you know if I do. However, be careful. Since finding out about Middle Ground, I've gotten a lot of feedback from people who've known them and it turns out to be a bit different in their experience. Not all that it's cracked up to be. Don't want to go into details, but not everyone saying that they are advocates, are actually helpful. Sometimes they are in the game for their own reasons. I'll just leave it at that. Good luck.