DEMAND AN INVESTIGATION AT SPECIAL NEEDS FACILITY, NASHVILLE. TN

BECAUSE HEALTH IS A HUMAN RIGHT AND PRISONERS NEED ATTENTION TOO

THIS PETITION IS MEANT TO BRING TO THE PUBLIC`S ATTENTION OF THE  QUALITY OF CARE THAT IS ADMINISTERED AT THE LOIS M. DEBERRY SPECIAL NEEDS FACILITY, LOCATED IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

The Special Needs Facility is a central prison/ hospital that is used to treat inmates who require medical treatment or consultation beyond those capable at the prisons where the inmate is assigned. It is also a facility that provides convalescent care to the aging inmate population from various facilities.

There are no fewer than three (3)doctors on site every day and inmates are systematically denied referrals to see them because the contract free world provider want to save money and have deemed that it would be much better to let prisoners suffer as opposed to providing them with treatment. This is especially true when it comes to inmates who are suffering from terminal ailments such as aids and cancer.

The Special Needs Facility has a long history of complaints of medical negligence and malpractice. The staff Physician`s assistant, David Seahorn, has had in excess of 50 civil suits levied against him. Most of the inmates at the Special Needs Facility are not successful in their efforts to seek litigation because (1) the inmates are so sickly thy cannot manage the burden of researching issues in the prison library. 2) the prison library blocks access to legal material and legal assistance. 3)   since this is the department of correction all evidence and medical pertinent records are in their possession, controlled by the department of correction and thus able to be manipulated by them , i. e. forged, altered or removed from the patient`s medical file.

Free world hospitals who contract with this facility, refuse certain operations because the SNF will not conduct after-care follow up treatment. In this way, outside hospitals are released from liability for mal practice. Internal corruption is rampant, accountability non existant.  20 inmates have died here in the past four (4) months, over 180 in 2012. How is this possible when this prison is a hospital first, a prison second?. Numerous nursing staff have been fired for stealing inmate patients medications. Elderly inmates are no attended too and have bedsores that are left to fester. They are left to lie on their own feces and urine all night long withut being changed.

This prison is in the habit fabricating a mired of lied that medical staff will proffer to outside inquiries.

This petition is aimed at seeking United States Justice Department intervention and investigation into the systematic pattern of neglect at this prison which amounts at cruel in  unusual punishment and violation of the Eighth`s Amendment to the United States Constitution.

It cannot always be assumed that staff and prison officials are always sayng the truth and the inmates always lying.

FOR YOUR URGENT CONSIDERATION.

Signed:  DR. Beatriz M

                       Human Rights volunteer

                       Amnesty international