prison health news
-better health care while you are in and when you get out-

Issue 4, August 2004

Who We Are...
We are on the outside, but we
were inside before. We’ve been
where you are now and know
what it’s like...and survived it. We
offenders talking about
are ex-o
health issues and trying to bring
about a positive change for all
people who are in prison now or
ever have been in the past. This
newsletter is about all of us.
We will be talking about health
issues. For example, what is good
nutrition? Where can you get
services and information on the
outside? We want to take your
health questions seriously and
break down complicated health
information so that it is under standable.
We’re also here to help you learn
how to get better health care
within your facility and how to get
answers to your health questions.
Don’t get frustrated. Be persist ent. In prison, it’s often hard to
get what you want, but with
health information, it doesn’t have
to be impossible. Join us in our
fight for our right to health care
and health information.
Read on...
From,
John, Waheedah, Patricia, Brian,
Jaci, & Sam

I Will Wait, by Vincent Abner Sr,

Books Through Bars, Contexts Collection

In this Issue:
Who We Are.........................................1
Memphis CIT Model Saves................2
Getting Out Alive.................................3
Surv i v ors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Think About It...................................4-5
5
Dear Waheedah...............................6-7
7
Write An Article!...................................7
Resources
for People in Prison.............................8
Subscribe!...............................................8
page 1

Memphis
CIT Model Saves
By Susan Rogers
A growing number of cities and communities across the country have
adopted the Memphis, Tennessee
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Model,
an innovative, evidence-based program
designed to prevent tragedies resulting
from encounters between police and
people whose mental illnesses may
make them appear threatening.
Another goal is to divert these individuals from the criminal justice system
into mental health services.
It works.
A study by Amnesty International has
noted that “the Memphis Plan has
resulted in reductions in the use of
deadly force and in injuries sustained
by officers and civilians,
as well as
reductions
in the use
of
restraints.”

page 2

Who uses the Memphis Model?
The Memphis CIT Model has been
adopted by dozens of cities, including
Albuquerque, New Mexico; Portland,
Oregon; Seattle, Washington;
Waterloo, Iowa; Montgomery County,
Maryland; and Houston, Texas.
How Does CIT Work?
Key components of the model are:
* The creation of an elite squad of
officers, who volunteer and then are
selected for qualities including maturity and judgment;
* 40 hours of training, including
training in communication skills and
de-escalation techniques;
* The establishment of partnerships
of police, family members, mental
health consumers, and providers;
* 24/7 coverage of the city or community for calls involving a person
in a mental health crisis.
When a call involving someone with
a mental illness is received, a member
of the CIT is dispatched to the scene.
As soon as that officer arrives, he or
she is in charge, even if outranked by
other officers at the scene.
Community Ownership
In a recently published article, Major
Sam Cochran, the Memphis CIT coordinator, wrote: “What makes the CIT
so successful? As I have said often, it’s
more than just training! Although the
40-hour training is substantial, what
really makes the CIT effective is its
foundation of sensitivity and understanding interwoven within the framework of community partnerships. This
gives birth to community ownership,
~SR
which is the CIT heartbeat.”

Still Alive, by Candy Anderson aka Diamond Childe, Books Through Bars, Contexts Collection

Getting
Out Alive Survivors
-Exerpt from POZ,
April 2004

Fighting for Treatment
and Care: How to get
the best care you can

(dedicated to the living)

By REXXX, ex-offender

In our desire, zest and zeal for life
we’ve come upon this dismal strife.
Trespassed and violated the invader seeks
to slowly steal away our life. With this
dismal curse we dare not say for fear of
Work the System
Get someone to explain your facil- driving everyone away. We manage to
ity’s request-and-grievance process, cope with grace and hope and ask for the
courage to make it through another day.
then follow it precisely. “If you
So many never make it home, slowly
have several (health) items, choose
shrinking to the bone, surrendering with
one,” said Philadelphia FIGHT’s
each heart-wrenching moan. They fall to
John Bell, “and get that resolved”
the wayside in a race with death for a
before tackling the next. If appealcure unknown. It cuts so close that tears
ing a refusal, attach government
fill our eyes. We feel their cries!!! We
treatment guidelines.
see ourselves in the fading souls in their
faraway eyes.
Stay Polite Yet Persistent
We carry on thankful to survive, seeking
“I’ve asked (male) inmates to use
some
way to get on with our lives. With
the charm they once used with
determination
we strive to make it until
females,” Bell says. If necessary,
an answer arrives. An answer that is final
take complaints up the chain of
and does not need to
command, or get outside help.
be nursed, a
Keep Your Own Records
solution to this
Prison officials often withhold
dreadful curse.
records, misplace them, or won’t
Grateful though
forward them to your next doc—
we are for the
but you should try to get them
battle to have
anyway. Also, record every
come
detail in your own health jourthis far,
nal. Make regular copies—by
we
hand if necessary—and mail them
look for
to an outsider. If you haven’t disthe day
closed you health status, use code
when this
in case of a shakedown or search.
nightmare is
far away
Know Your Correctional Officers
and our
The COs often decide if you’re
dreams can
even allowed to visit the infirshine again as bright
mary. Feel out who’s gonna
as distant stars. ~R
support you and who’s not. A big
by Brother Ray,
page 3
no-no? Attitude.
~POZ Envelope,
Books Through Bars, Contexts Collection

Think
About It...
by John Bell, ex-offender, and Laura McTighe
We teach a class for brothers and sisters with HIV that are just getting out
of jail and prison. The class is primarily about dealing with life on the outside. But we also spend a lot of time
talking about the pain people suffered
while locked up—especially how frequently people had to choose between
getting the care they needed for their
health and keeping quiet so that no
one in their facility would find out
their HIV status.
We are writing this article for those
of you who are dealing with this issue
on the inside now. We do not have
answers for you, but there are some
things that we want you to know.
It’s Your Call.
There is no protocol and no correct
stance on sharing your health status in
jail. It is up to you. In prison, being
able to make decisions about when,
how and to whom you disclose your
status is hard if not impossible. Pretty
much anything you can do to take care
of yourself breaks your confidentiality
as a person living with HIV.
Once people know your status in
your facility, there is no getting away
from the looks, the stares, the comments like “HIV bitch” or “He’s got
that hot shit.” Before you think about
getting medical care or telling anyone
your status, you need to be able to say,
“If you have a problem with me being
HIV positive, I sincerely hope you get
over it” …and mean it.
Accepting It.
People living with HIV have seen a
lot of people pass before them—neighpage 4 bors that dropped off with-

out a trace, friends they watched get
sick, family members they cared for at
the end stages.
We know that these memories weigh
heavily on you—that every time you
think about those people who passed
on before you, you feel terrified about
your own health, about when you will
get sick. And, at the same time, it is
these memories and this same fear that
make you think about reaching out for
help and for medical care.
Your Body.
You have probably heard that HIV
weakens the immune system so your
body cannot fight off infections on its
own. But have you heard that your
immune system is very strong, and for
a long time it wins out against HIV?
On average, it takes 10 years before
HIV can run through your immune
system enough for you to even start
feeling symptoms. And if you take
care of yourself, you can make that
time even longer.
If You Get Sick.
The most important things you can
do are to 1. know your body and 2.
keep an eye out for changes in your
health. Things to watch for: herpes
blisters and cold sores that do not go
away, thrush that makes your mouth
and throat dry and whitish, or pneumonia that makes you really tired and
short of breath. Women should also
watch for repeated yeast infections.
There are meds you can take to fight
off infections like these, and there are
also anti-HIV meds you can take to
knock out HIV, so your immune system can get strong again and fight off

Penitent, by Stephen King Ainsworth, Books Through Bars, Contexts Collection

infections on its own. You should be
able to get these meds at your facility.
Confidentiality.
But in prison, it is rarely possible to
just go to the clinic, get your meds and
keep your health status private. If you
go to the medical staff about your HIV,
9 times out of 10 someone else is
going to find out. A correctional officer might overhear you talking with
the doctor, or there might be a scheduled clinic time for the infectious disease doctor at your facility so all
inmates know that is the day for people with HIV, or other inmates might
see or hear the meds you take in med
lines. Whatever the case, no facility
protects your confidentiality 100%.
The Choice.
Whether you decide to seek medical
care or refuse it, your life is on the
line—from the HIV or from the discrimination you face in your facility.
This is not an easy or fair choice.
There are many people in prison who
have stood up to the abuse that people
with HIV face, and are getting medical
care. We applaud you for your bravery, and know that you have served as
inspirations for people in your facilities who are not open about their HIV.
But there are many more people
getting sick behind bars, because they
have refused treatment. We stand
along side you and offer our support in
dealing with this difficult decision.
Your Safety.
Whatever decision you make, please
keep yourself safe on the inside. You
are too valuable, and there is too much
work for you to do when you get out.

If you are too afraid to tell people
your health status, don’t. If you are
afraid to get medical care because others will find out your status, don’t. If
you are going to seek medical care,
make sure you have someone you can
lean on for support—even if it is
someone you write to on the outside.
If you are going to seek medical care
only if you get sick, start preparing
now. It will be even harder to deal
with the mental and emotional pain
from stigma if your body is also weak.
Health Without Meds.
If you choose to not get medical care
while you are locked up, take steps to
keep yourself healthy.
Bottom line: if germs cannot get
inside your body, they cannot make
you sick. Shower regularly, wash your
hands before you eat, and keep cuts
and scrapes clean.
Also, exercise and stress reduction
help to keep your immune system
strong. Doing push-up, sit-ups and
playing sports will all strengthen your
body, plus exercise helps you let out
tension. And, while it is hard to really
get rid of stress on the inside, if you
can find five minutes each day to slow
down and take some deep breaths, you
will feel the difference.
We Are Here.
We are waiting for you on the
outside. There are advocates across
the country who will make sure that
you get the services that you need, and
that you have a community of people
who are HIV positive and recently
released to help support you. You are
not alone. ~JB&LM
page 5

Dear
Waheedah
By Waheedah Shabazz-El, ex-offender
Every other month our resident advice columnist will select a question
and answer it here. She will look for commonly asked questions.
To send a question, write to:
Prison Health News, “Dear Waheedah”
c/o Philadelphia FIGHT
1233 Locust Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia PA 19107
Dear Waheedah,
Dear Anxious,
I will be released from prison to
First I would like to applaud you for
Philadelphia after finishing my maxi- seeking assistance before your release.
mum bid. I am HIV positive. Upon
That shows responsibility, and is a tesrelease I will be homeless and broke.
tament to the quality of person you
Being homeless again and not having are. I myself am HIV positive, and
the medication I need is my biggest
was diagnosed during my own incarworry upon release. What can I do?
ceration, so I can certainly relate to
Sincerely,
your situation.
Anxious in Pennsylvania
There are a lot of resources here to
help you.
While I was incarcerated I met with
a care outreach worker at
Philadelphia FIGHT who promised me that he would help me
get my life back on track. And
he kept his word. Upon getting out he set me up with a
doctor, a case manager,
classes, and volunteer work.
I am now working as a peer
educator at recovery houses and
halfway houses
throughout the city. A
lot is possible if you
stick with it.
Before you get out, I
would suggest contacting
Philadelphia FIGHT. They
are the largest AIDS/HIV
A Girl, by T. Coe,
Books Through Bars, Contexts Collection
support organization in
Philadelphia, and they work
specifically
with ex-offenders.
page 6

write an article!
We have gotten lots of
requests for articles already, and
we know that everyone who
reads this newsletter will have
questions or his or her own
story to tell.
If you have advice for other
prisoners dealing with health
issues, write to us. We will feature you in “Words to Live By.”
If you have a question, write to
us. We will write you back and
may publish an article on your
question in Prison Health News.
If you want to write an article
on something you think is
important for prisoners’ health,
send it and we will consider
publishing it in Prison Health
News. You can also write us first
to discuss ideas for articles.
If you want your name kept
confidential, you can sign your
article with your first name or
“anonymous.”
In coming issues, we will cover:
* Nutrition,
* Exercise,
* Getting Support While You Are
Incarcerated,
* How to Advocate for Yourself,
* HIV Treatments,
* Hepatitis C Treatments,
* Treatment strategies for HIV
and hepatitis C Co-infection,
* Depression,
* Getting Out,
* Staying Clean When You Get
Out,
* Welfare, Food Stamps, and
Medical Assistance,
* Housing,
May your journey be blessed,
page 7
Waheedah Shabazz-El
~WS and much more!

1. Medications
Getting your HIV medication should
not be a problem. Philadelphia FIGHT
has their own clinic, the Jonathan Lax
Center at 1233 Locust Street, 5th Floor.
The Jonathan Lax Center, they will set
you up with a doctor and medications
even if you do not have insurance.
2. Substance Abuse & Mental Health
Do you need treatment for substance
abuse and/or mental health issues? Do
you have any other health problems,
such as Hep-C, diabetes, high blood
pressure, neuropathy, etc.? Your case
manager can help you get all of these
services. I encourage you to think about
all the support you might need, so that
everything is ready and waiting for you
when you come home.
3. Benefits
All ex-offenders in PA are entitled to
welfare, and your case manager can help
you start that process. Please be willing
to follow instructions during the process.
You will have to do a lot of running
around to get all your paperwork together, so ask for help when you need it.
4. Personal Information
In order to begin the process, your
advocates on the outside will need certain information from you, like your
social security #, birth date, and age.
Make sure to send this information when
you request assistance.
Again, I want to applaud you for planning ahead. And know that you are not
alone. When you get out, please stay in
touch so we can make sure you get the
services you need.

resources
for people in prison
If you need help while you are in, or when you get out, contact:
In Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia FIGHT
1233 Locust Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia PA 19107
(215) 985-4448--no collect calls
Contact: Laura McTighe

In New York City, NY

Women Prison Association
& Home Inc.
175 Remsen Street, 9th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 797-0300--for collect calls from
New York Jails/Prisons
(718) 637-6818--no collect calls
Contact: Leah Bundy

In Miami, FL

In San Francisco, CA

Continuum Springboard
225 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 823-0414 --no collect calls
(415) 823-0415--no collect calls
Contact: Helen Lin or
Charlie Wilson

In Houston, TX

Houston Montrose Clinic
215 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 830-3000--no collect calls
Contact: Chris Jimmerson
Every organization on this list provides
case management, medical care and
support services for people when they
get out of prison. Most of these
organizations specialize in care for
people with HIV. Every organization
distributes Prison Health News.

Care Resource, Miami
225 N.E. 34th Street
Miami, FL 33137
(305) 573-5411--no collect calls
Contact: Pedro Torres
If you need resources in a city not listed here, write to us!
We will help you track down anwers to your specific questions.
Write to us if you know a great organization that is missing from this list.

If you need information while you are in, contact:
Project Inform
National HCV Prison Coalition

Outreach and Education Department
205 13th Street, Suite 2001
San Francisco, CA 94103-2461
information & newsletters on HIV
*free to prisoners

Fortune News

Subscriptions
c/o The Fortune Society
53 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010

newsletter on criminal justice issues
*free to prisoners

prison
health
news
page 8

Edited By:
Laura McTighe
John S. James
Martin Wiley
Tiffany Smith
John Bell
Waheedah Shabazz
Patricia Green
Brian Lafferty
We are grateful for financial
support from Boehringer
Ingelheim and Orthobiotech

Hepatitis C Awareness Project
PO Box 41803
Eugene, OR 97404

newsletter & information on hepatitis C
*free to prisoners

Prison Legal News

2400 NW 80th St. #148
Seattle, WA 98117

newsletter on prisoner rights&court rulings
*sample issue $1. unused stamps OK.

subscribe!

If you would like to have Prison
Health News mailed to you, write to:

Prison Health News
c/o Philadelphia FIGHT
1233 Locust Street,
5th Floor
Philadelphia PA 19107
All subscriptions are free, and are
mailed First Cllass.