PONDERINGS FROM THE ETERNAL NOW #5
December 2003

      According to A Building Rules and Regulations and the Inmate Handbook, "During the late evening and early morning counts, Correctional Officers use flashlights to perform counts (12:00 am, 3:00 a.m., 5:30 a.m.) No bells will ring. If you are completely covered the officers will lift the covers to make certain you are accounted for. The Correctional Officer MUST SEE human flesh."
     "And the WORD became flesh and dwelt among us." (Jn 1:14)
      Those were the first words that came to me upon reading this latest directive posted for us. What would it mean if the guard could really see "flesh"? What would it mean if our world could really see "flesh"?
      The focus of these ponderings is to share a glimpse of our health services.
The FPC Alderson Inmate Handbook on page 42 reads: "You have the right to health care which includes nutritious meals, proper bedding...and medical and dental treatment.
      Dental has a waiting list of 6 -9 months for cleaning. Prisoners are allowed a teeth cleaning every 18 months. We are allowed dental floss and proxi-brushes (unlike most county jails) if purchased from commissary. So much for gum disease!
      Unless it is an emergency, meaning an "infected tooth" the waiting list for dental care is 16 - 18 months.
     If a prisoner gets sick, she departs for sick call around 6:30 a.m (when count clears) in the Health Services Building. One stands in a long line until around 8:00 a.m. when she is given a paper to fill out explaining what is wrong with her.
     Unless she is running a fever, she is probably sent on to work and scheduled for an appointment with the P.A. or doctor in 2 -3 weeks time.
      If she sees the doctor, she is probably sent to commissary to buy one of the thirteen medications they sell for common ailments. If she is given a prescription, she must wait another 24 hours before starting treatment.
     An inmate may want to "schedule" her illness since there is no sick call on Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday. The vending machines do dispense Motrin, Advil and Bayer at $1.25 for 2 tablets.
      The only way a woman is excused from work is to be given an idle or a convalescent. An idle is given for 2 - 3 days. The prisoner is confined to bed and the 1/4 mile walk to and from the dining room for food. No TV rooms, smoke shack, library, walking, recreation or chapel.
       A convalescent means the woman does not report for work. This is difficult to get because the fear is that "too many" will want this.
       Accidents should be "scheduled" for early Friday since that is the day X-rays are given. They are then read the following week. An exception would be a compound fracture, but then don't expect a strong pain medication as "pill line" isn't open at night.
      One elderly woman told me about her broken leg last winter. She went one week without her insulin or food from the dining room as she couldn't walk to get them.
      The cancer stories are horrendous. One woman was told she might have cervical cancer and would be going to the medical unit in Carswell, Texas. She was packed out for three weeks and left after a month.
      Another has been waiting for a needle biopsy since April for possible breast cancer. She got the biopsy the end of October and is now waiting for the results.
      The psychiatrist is from Lexington, KY via TV satellite. Women are asked: (t) Are you depressed? (2) Do you need more medication?
      Perhaps we need to rethink our definition of the death penalty. Any major illness or accident in the Federal Prison System could be a potential death sentence and has been.
      We all know that health care isn't great in this country, especially for the poorest. However, the belief that health care needs are met in prison is an illusion. Alderson is typical.
       "And the WORD became flesh and dwells among us."
        Blessings during this holy season!
Much gratitude and love,..................Carol

.