BostonHerald.com - Local / Regional News: Prison critics rip medical care
The Department of Correction for months ignored the medical needs of a paraplegic inmate afflicted with a gaping, bacteria-ridden bedsore, forcing him to be hospitalized in an intensive care unit in Boston for a week, the inmate’s lawyer said yesterday.
Prison reform advocates say the case of Anthony Garafolo, 45, of Springfield, who is awaiting trial, is emblematic of a disturbing lack of medical care among the 10,300 prisoners in DOC custody, many of whom leave the system with infectious diseases. The medical care gap also was raised Thursday by a member of a special panel appointed by Gov. Mitt Romney to help reform the DOC.
The Herald reported yesterday that inmates are regularly being released from state prisons suffering from infectious diseases such as hepatitis C, tuberculosis and MRSA, a “superbug†skin bacteria that is resistant to most antibiotics.
Leslie Walker, executive director of Massachusetts Correctional Legal Services Inc., said lack of care is creating a health risk in the state because 97 percent of prisoners are eventually released.
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4 responses so far ↓
Darlene Brooks // Mar 3, 2007 at 7:48 pm
My fahter is in the Devens Mass Medical Prison with MRSA. He is a diabetic. He has several sores between both his feet that was dianozed at the prison as MRSA. I am 1900 miles away with no way of knowing how this looks other than what he tells me. My father says he is being overlooked and not getting the treatment like he should. When he calls us on the phone he has to be carefull of what he tells us about it or he will be punished. He is on dialysis three times a week. I need a lawyer in the Mass area that handles cases like this. I have no money but I know this is worth getting involved. Please if anyone can help me I would appreciate it. They are telling him they will have to amputate his legs soon if it is not any better. This has been over six months ago. It is not healing. I feel my father will die soon if this is not treated. He only has two years to go in his sentence. I dont want to loose him this away. He says the prison system is very mean to people who complain of this disease. They are looked at as complainers. This is all uncalled for I think. Help me please!!!! Need a good lawyer that cares!
mr. knowitall // Oct 22, 2007 at 7:43 am
IT THE DAMN GOVERNMENT! AND THE FDA! THEY DONT CARE ABOUT US. THEY USE US IN EVERY WAY FOR EXPERIMENTAL INFORMATION FOR THEM. WE ARE NOT MONKEYS, NOR SHOULD THEY BE USING THEM OR ANY LIVING THING FOR THESE PURPOSES. THEY EVEN PIOSON OUR FOOD AND NOW SAY CHILD MEDS ARE NOT GOOD FOR OUR CHILDREN AND THEY NOT EVEN APPROVED BY THE FDA. WHAT THE #$@! IS THIS WORLD COMMIN TOO?
Ann E.DeSisto // May 1, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Im not in prison, but i’m a diabetic and a dialysis patient.Im try’n to get prisoners to donate organs , your father could also benefit. I’m not sure where to go with this . with so many prisoners and so many needed donors we can solve half the problem. Please e-mail me. How do I make them aware. Please write
Darlene Brooks // May 1, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Ann,
My father died July 2007 from complications of diabetis and having MSRA. I didnt have the heart to look at his legs but the funeral home said his legs had large deep holes from the infection. I dont know how to help you. Write to congressmen and people higher up. Going through the prison system with any problem is like talking to a wall. I know now how important donating organs can be. I offered my kidney to my father but he was not strong enough for any operation. I wish you luck.
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