Warrior - Serving fourteen years for kidnapping and aggravated assault. Half Hispanic and Scottish-Irish with family still in Mexico. Brought up by a family steeped in drug commerce. He writes some of the best prison-fight stories on the Internet.
Leigh asked about the frequency of violence during the holiday season, and the procedure for obtaining medical treatment.
Warrior responded: The holiday season amplifies what already exists. The media is a constant reminder of what holidays traditionally are, yet the reality here is certainly otherwise. We are absent children, loved ones, good food, and memorable moments, and these are things some prisoners will never have again. It’s a hard reality.
A lot of prisoners deal with depression through drugs, anger and violence. Their inability to cope makes these avenues of escape more attractive. Emotions are infectious, so imagine 500 to 1000 prisoners all feeling this way. One slight may lead to a fight, then a riot, and so on. This occurs every year.
As for the medical process, a prisoner submits a “Health Needs Request.” I’ve enclosed one so that perhaps Shaun can post a copy. Whatever need you have determines who you will see: dentist, doctor, psychologist, eye specialist… However, getting seen is no guarantee you’ll get treated. If it’s cheap and easy you may get treated. Also if it’s “necessary” i.e) the prison might get sued if they don’t treat you. With “might get sued” defined as: does this prisoner have the knowledge and resources to sue us, if not then we can screw him over.
The commissary does provide some basic health items for us to purchase – ibuprofens, cough drops, sinus pills – but the quality is so poor that they do little to alleviate any symptoms.
Click here for the previous Question Time
Links to more prison stories by Warrior:
Warrior v Big E.
Rapist on the Yard
Bucket of Blood
Central Unit
Tags: Arizona Department of Corrections Health Needs Request Form
2 comments:
I can relate to this a little and also can see how "Shane" is now considered a threat because of his legal prowess, ability to write and "dont take no shit" attitude.
i was shuffled out of the juvenile system after filing a grievance when i was assaulted by staff and threatened in a office room. Once they found i was able to write and express what happened in an intelligent manner, they freaked. rather than face lawsuit, they released me and didnt follow up with my parole. it was a joke.
- big jason
thank you so much for sharing the medical form!! it's horrible how people thing that incarcerated people are at least getting medical treatment and free! do you pay copay? in GA there is copay for any treatment aside from the chronic illnesses they have decided to keep on record. things are getting rough in GA and i've been feeling very ineffective and useless as an activist and friend of someone in prison.
hearing your perspective and the perspectives of others Shaun has writing here helps a great deal in trying to figure out what battles to fight and how to fight them.
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