Families of SOs Community Group
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My son has medical issues, as well as food intolerance's. I am hoping once he gets to where ever he will be serving his time all his issues will be taken care of. However for now it has been an uphill battle, he is being housed in Ohio until his sentencing, and his "court appointed" attorney is not a lot of help. I called her last week to inform her that they are serving him food he cannot eat, her response was "they won't let him starve" and "I cannot micro manage everything". I spoke to my son last Monday and he told me he had an appointment to see the doctor on Friday to get his diet fixed and to be able to get Boost every day (it helps with the muscle aches and headaches from the marfans). He was told Friday that the doctors assistant was wrong, the doctor does not see inmates until they have been there 30 days. So in the meanwhile he is surviving on oatmeal for breakfast, plain rice for lunch, and plain ramen noodles (he can't use the soup packet because it has milk in it) for dinner. The noodles he has been lucky enough to get from other inmates by trading the food he is being served that he cannot eat. So now I get to call his attorney tomorrow and inform her that he hasn't seen the doctor, and if it weren't for some of the other inmates, he would be starving. Does anyone know who I could call to handle this myself, or am I not able to do so?
I worried about my son when he first went in. He's lactose intolerant and has other food issues. I was able to give him money for commissary, at least that way he could buy some foods he could eat. He ate a lot of oatmeal as well, and he'd put in some peanut butter for protein. He got sick at first from the 'meat', which is mostly all soy.
I know that eventually he will be able to find enough that fit his diet. It's not easy when they first go in and having issues with food is just more to deal with.
I was glad for the other inmates my son met. Most treated him well, and they do try to help each other out. His friend Mango usually cooked for him. I know it's stressful that you can't be there to fix things, seems problems don't get fixed quickly in prison.
I tried calling the prison myself, but most times they didn't answer the phone and when they did they just lied.. unfortunately that route usually doesn't help.
In every prison I was in they had a pork and non-pork tray only. I am not saying that a few inmates did not have specific diets, but I never saw it in the eight years I was in.
The DOCs do not like to fix these specific menus--even though I know it is warranted in your son's case. I am sure if the doctor ordered it, they would follow his orders, but you will have to keep on them all the time.
Rather than have to fuss with them about it all the time, your son might be better off swapping food with inmates and buying some of his food at the canteen. I would hate to depend on the DOC to serve or adhere to a strict medical diet.
@kitty,
Your son will have to tell them he needs an annual EKG and X-rays, as they sure will not do it on their own.
If you have to call, you can call the warden first. If that does not bring results, there is usually a head of DOC Medical Services you can talk to, who is not located at the prison, but at the head of the DOC, usually the state capitol. You might have better results with him or her.
rewdiazepam
Generally to survive in prison, an inmate needs to do these things:
1) Respect others. Respect is a BIG deal in prison. No loud music or TV.
2) Absolutely no snitching. If anything happens like a fight, you did not see it.
3) Do not borrow if you cannot pay. Do NOT get into debt. Other than snitching, getting in debt is the second easiest way to really get hurt in prisons.
4) Keep a low profile.
5) Mind your own business.
6) Don't talk to the guards unless they speak to you first. This means no talking about Sunday's NFL game. The COs are not your friends and the other inmates get really nervous when they see another inmate getting too cozy with staff.
7) If you are in there for a sex crime or any crime against children, keep it to yourself. Sex offenders are not liked in prison. This mainly applies to those at medium security prisons, not minimums.
8) Strive to be a respected, likeable guy. Inmates do not beat up other inmates they like and respect. That just does not happen.
Hope this helps.
rewdiazepam
Hang in there.
lwayne: Once he gets to his permanent "home" facility, any idea how I find out who his classification officer is? As far as his meds go, that's the only thing he is actually getting, it took his lawyer calling the US Marshal's office. He was told by someone where he is now that he should request the facility in North Carolina, that they have the best medical care.
Sounds like your son is going Federal. That's where I did my time. Not at Butner, NC, but in a Federal prison.
Your son will, most certainly, be in a minimum if he is serving less than 5 years. Federal Mins are not easy, but easier than Mediums and Maxs and much easier than state prisons.
His medical needs will be take care of. I saw many guys get special trays where I was and it was not a medical facility.