My son has been incarcerated at the porter co. jail for six and a half months. Over 3 wks. ago he was diagnosed w/ CHRONIC HEPATITIS C.He has not received any medical care. I live out of state but saw him in June, his eyes were yellow back then, it is now Sept. He has asked the nurse twice for an ibuprofen or something for pain because his joints & muscles ache alot (part of the symptoms from this disease) she told him since he didn't have the $15.00 they charge he could not have anything. He is not under porter co. now, he is a part of the d.o.c. and according to the law books it says in paragraph 2, statute # 2.016.020 letter C that if you are in the d.o.c.s custody that you do not pay this fee. I called there yesterday, spoke to the nurse she just said she would talk to him. Today the nurse did, & according to my son, was not happy that i called, she basically told him that HE PROBABLY WOULD NOT RECEIVE ANY MEDICAL TREATMENT WHILE HE WAS IN THE PORTER CO. JAIL.. He let her know that by law he should be receiving treatment, she didn't know he has hep c. she said she has to call the health dept. to see if this is true, he said he has the paperwork showing that he does but she didn't want to see it. And, OF COURSE HE STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT!!, NOT EVEN SOMETHING FOR THE PAIN!! I understand he is in there because he has broken the law & i agree he does not deserve to have many privileges but MEDICAL CARE IS NOT A PRIVELAGE, IT IS A RIGHT !! HEP.C IS VERY SERIOUS AND HE WAS TOLD THAT HE SHOULD BE ON MEDS IMMIDIATLEY! There are many others in this jail that are sick, I know of one that has been in 5 to 6 months, was diagnosed w/ hep c. & also has not received treatment. No wonder there have been deaths in this jail. Just because they have broken the law does not mean they should be refused the dignity to get the treatment to keep them healthy and alive ! I am praying they will give him the care he needs because i will take whatever measures i need to to see that he gets proper medical treatment, even if it means hiring an attorney.
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