JDMC – URGENT ALERT

Date of Alert: January 5, 2003

End of Alert; February 5, 2003

Contact for Alert:
Deann RobertsJDMC – Arkansas ChapterP. O. Box 5213Jacksonville, AR.
72078-5213dmroberts72076@yahoo.comShirley DicksJDMCP. O. Box
343Beechgrove, TN. 37018sdicks@blomand.net
Concern: Medical neglect and threat to life of Federal Inmate:
Arkansas

Inmate:
Michael Edward Haas #08498-045Federal Correction InstitutionP. O. Box
9000Forrest City, AR. 72336.
Background:

Michael Haas is a 40 year old male, incarcerated at the Federal
Correction Institution in Forrest City, Arkansas. Mr. Haas has been
diagnosed with Hepatitis C. He had a Liver Biopsy at Baptist Hospital
and the Doctors told him he was a perfect candidate for Interferon
plus Replication treatments. He was cleared by Dr. Dunas of
Psychology who cleared him for any medication treatments in April of
2002. He was informed on June 25, 2002 by Dr. Prince that "some
doctor" at Region was not going to o.k. the medication until he did a
drug program. Michael has gone through the proper channels to try to
eleviate this problem. The "system" decided that Michael got Hep. C
because of drug use. The "system" says that Michael is not eligible
for their 500 hour drug treatment program until 2011. If he made it
until then and took the drug program he would only have 18 months
left on his sentence and the "system" requires that you have two
years on your sentence to receive treatments for Hep.!
C.

ACTION: Contact all or some of those listed below and request:

That Michael be tested and treated immediately for Hep. C.
That Michael be allowed to take the 500 hour Drug Treatment program
That all treatment and testing be given Michael free of charge to
him and his family.
That an immediate investigation be started to determine any
medical neglect on the part of F.C.I. staff which has endangered
Michael's life or chances of recovering from this disease.

The Jeff Dicks Medical Coalition in no way condones criminal
activity. However, we believe that the neglect of inmates medical
needs, particularly where this has the effect of causing death,
disability, or unnecessary pain and suffering is a serious breach of
government responsibility and of the inmate's human rights. It is
unethical, unprofessional and unacceptable. It also contravenes key
international human rights conventions.

Principle 24 of the body of Principles for the Protection of All
Persons Under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment sets out the
following standard for inmate care: "A proper medical examination
shall be offered to a detained or imprisoned person as promptly as
possible after his admission to the place of detention or
imprisonment, and thereafter medical care and treatment shall be
provided whenever necessary. This care and treatment shall be
provided free of charge."

Article 9 of the Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners
states that: "Prisoners shall have access to the health services
available in the country without discrimination on the grounds of
their legal situation."

Maryellen Thoms, Assistant Director and/or
CAPT Newton E. Kendig, II., M.D., Medical Director320 First St.,
NW.Washington, D.C. 20534. Warden JeterFCI Forrest City
P.O. Box 7000
Forrest City, Arkansas 72335
870-630-6000
Fax: 870-630-6250
Mr. Jimenez, Medical DirectorFCI Forrest City
P.O. Box 7000
Forrest City, Arkansas 72335
870-630-6000
Fax: 870-630-6250