Health Horror Stories
"These stories of health abuse are not independently verified by the editors of this website. However, all of the women have agreed to a HIPPA release to any qualified attorney willing to take their case, or to an investigative reporter from the media."
Are These Some Of The Reasons Perryville Residents Have Such An Alarming Rate Of Cancer?
This took some deep digging, and investigative interviews to finally nail down what is labeled “Not for human consumption”. The prevailing answer was it’s the “mechanically separated chicken” inmates call shmeat.
But no! It is something much more diabolical, and so hush-hush, that even the white shirts won’t talk about it. It comes in a brown cardboard box, unlabeled except for the initials TVP. What is this? Textured Vegetable Protein.
The reason it’s an issue is that the product contains HEXANE which is used in the manufacturing process. HEXANE is a known carcinogen. This is the stuff that is mixed with the chicken parts to make it go farther.
The only fake sweetener available to prisoners, both in the kitchen and on the commissary, is Aspartame/Saccharin. The FDA says this is a carcinogen.
Keefe makes three shampoos, two body washes, and a dandruff product marketed to prisoners. ALL of them contain *pyrethezone zinc* and *cocamide DEA* . These chemicals are outlawed in 14 states and the FDA requires a warning label on all products. (California inmates can’t buy them because they’re banned)
Warden, Would You Eat In A Restaurant That Had No Dishwasher?
We were astounded to learn that San Carlos has NO DISHWASHER. How that escaped our attention for so long is mystifying, but we recently had a slew of letters about it.
In interviewing residents that worked at Carlos kitchen, we were able to get a clear picture of the “dishwashing” procedure. There are 3 sinks….the 1st sink is where they spray off the food on the tray. The next step with the 2nd sink is an alleged “disinfectant” which they are dunked in, then on to the 3rd sink of rinse water.
The people interviewed said they were rushed by the Trinity staff and couldn’t thoroughly clean the trays. Reportedly, the cups and sporks were only given a cursory rinse.
Several letters divulged alleged mold growing profusely in and around food prep tables. Guess who is calling the Health Department? US!
No-Care Naphcare sued for $26.75 Million!
This was the verdict in Washington State, for the death of Cindy Hill after being denied care for a ruptured a intestine. Naphcare was accused of “subjecting inmates to risk of serious harm” and “putting profits over the medical wellbeing of inmates.”
The complaint declared Hill’s condition was treatable and her death preventable. Ms. Hill was found in her cell in a fetal position on the floor screaming in pain. Unable to stand or walk she was dragged across the floor on a blanket to see Naphcare’s RN. The nurse gave her no treatment. Later that day Hill was found dead in a pool of blood and vomit.
What will Naphcare nurses do to YOUR loved one at Perryville? It might be wise to call/write Governor Hobbs to get this vicious vendor out of Arizona prisons.
No Antibiotics for Pregnant Woman, and No Breast Pads!
A pregnant woman on San Carlos that is in her 8th month, had an infected spider bite on her torso. Her OB/GYN started her on clinical stock antibiotics because the Dr. feared the infection would hurt the baby. NaphCare told her she would have the pills the next day,...
Crisis Central–NaphCare is a BUST!
The new, for-profit, health care provider started October 1st. for all Arizona jails and prisons. What a MESS. Right off the bat, the computers stopped working, and I mean they couldn't do anything right. One hundred people were assigned to one (and only) Provider...
Woman with severed fingers claims she got no pain meds other than aspirin
A worker at Print Shop almost lost her hand in one of the machines there. Allegedly, two fingers were stripped away, but 911 was called immediately. At the hospital, surgeons were able to reattach the ring and index fingers, although time will tell if she can use them...
The cAGEing of Perryville
Recently, we heard from an elderly inmate, and this is her letter about fellow aging women in prison. "I hadn't been back to Cruz unit in over 3 years. Cruz is where they store most of the aging population in medium custody. Women in their 60s and 70s all know each...
Your Blood Never Lies
I have always been skeptical of how much "stress" affects one's health. Well, I'm a believer now. I have empirical evidence of my own blood lab work. If you read the articles about how bad Lumley Unit treats its residents, you can understand the major STRESS the women...
Quick summary of Jensen v. Shinn trial
(For gavel to gavel coverage, see Jimmy Jenkins reporting for the Arizona Republic.) Psychologists, wardens, medical workers, and the prisoners themselves, testified for a month in this health care trial. On the last day of the trial, the court heard from Centurion's...
Prison nurse told to falsify report
(Read Jimmy Jenkins complete article in the Arizona Republic) This RN with 30 years experience, worked predominantly in the DOC Alhambra unit which serves as intake for men's prisons. In this instance in 2020, Nurse Bordan was asked to document a return from off-site...
Registered Nurse: “H. Pylori is rampant in Perryville”
An RN source alerted us to this story. According to her, this serious bacterial disease is prevalent in prisons....at least AZ prisons. This virulent strain of bacteria is, according to the Merck manual, is the cause of gastritis and ulcers. Long-term infection...
AZDOC has NOT told their pregnant inmates about the ‘Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act’
Families of pregnant women have told us that there has been no postings or any dissemination of information about the Act. These expectant mothers need to know they will no longer be shackled or restrained in any way. And after birth, they will be allowed to bond with...
Judge Silver to AZDOC: “See you in court!”
Federal Judge Roslyn Silver has finally lost patience with the DOC. She's taking them to trial over their continued non-compliance with Parson v. Ryan, a class action suit started in 2012. If the DOC can't defend their decision to turn over the health care of inmates...
10 Ambulances in 24 Hours at Peaville!
We've had multiple reports from families and staff, about the brutal heat emergencies in the women's prison. A staff member at Lumley Unit said three 911 calls were issued in two hours! A woman allegedly broke her ankle on one of the yards, trying to fix swamp...
More Older Women and Longer Sentences – AZDOC winning the wrong competitions
Women in AZ spend far longer in prison than women nationally. These additional months and years are not making Arizona safer. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that longer sentences do not make people less likely to commit a crime in the future. Recidivism is...
I was in prison for 17years and have seen so many people die in front of me It’s traumatic and I have PTSD from it. Medical never helped me for my heart problems, never took tests, just told me I have congested heart failure and didn’t do anything for me. I saw it every day. They never helped us, made us always feel like we were lying and would send us away. Making people work in the kitchen who have scoliosis, heart problems, people who have AIDS and Hep C as well as other STDs. There’s rat poop on our kitchen food, birds all over our trays that we eat off of making us all even sicker, black mold everywhere. We can’t breathe in our cells due to all the mold and crud in our walls, vents, and coolers. They are trying to kill us – they don’t care and the money they get for us does not go to us. There is so much more.
I’ve been sexually attacked by the CO police officers twice. I have my whole life to account for in there and I’m surprised I made it out after 17years. They have medium inmates on max yards getting assaulted and they don’t care. They say it is due to no room. They also send you to max yard as punishment without ever getting tickets. It’s all retaliation. They will ruin your life if you don’t do what they want. They make up lies, yep the sergeants, if you refuse to work because you don’t feel good. I heard a Sergeant say “Oh you’re going to hurt yourself” then cuff her up and put her in isolation when the girl never said it. I’ve seen it all, believe that.
Hi Cynthia! I’m not sure if you’ll see this but I am so sorry for what you went through. Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your story. I would love to ask you questions as I am exploring ideas for my doctoral capstone and am interested in issues in the AZ Women’s Prison. Is there any way we could talk further?
That was my friend 😭 she was cool ag and funny. I feel bad I had to leave San Carlos for Cruz. But fck their medical center, the whole prison is fucked up and corrupted. I’ve been out for 8 months now and I still remember everything like yesterday especially with health care. Like can the prison do an upgrade and fix their shit or will more ppl have to die like my friend here? It’s fucked up because I knew she was having a hard time in the beginning getting her shots. We both came from the same county. She wasn’t even a criminal like person. She was fun, bright and very smart, like she could’ve went to college. She had alot planned for herself…damn I love Jowell thank for the laughs and being a loyal friend. Rest in Paradise