Meeting of family group representatives with
TDCJ personnel
Hepatitis C - 29-30% of incoming prisoners are
testing positive for Hep C. TDCJ does not routinely
test prisoners who are already incarcerated. A
prisoner can request testing and they will be
interviewed to determine the appropriateness of the
testing. TDCJ has an infection control policy that was
written in consultation with the National Institute of
Health and the Center for Disease Control and TDCJ
stays in contact with these agencies in order to keep
up to date on the latest research. Once a prisoner is
diagnosed with Hep C, they will be tested every 3
months for ALT .This is a type of liver function
study. If ALT is elevated 1.5-2 times the normal, the
prisoner is referred to a specialist. The specialist will
determine whether treatment is needed and what
treatment is most appropriate for the individual.
Treatments can cause severe side-effects. For this
reason, each individual must be evaluated to
determine what is best for that person's overall health.
Please contact us at p O Box 305, League City, TX
77574-0305 if you want more info on Hep C.
Notification of family members if a prisoner is
hospitalized The next of kin who has been listed by
the prisoner will be notified only if the prisoner is in
the hospital in serious or critical condition. The
attending physician determines the status of the
prisoner's condition. The number for the prison
hospital in Galveston is 409-772-2875.
The Echo. The suspension of the Echo is' a temporary
matter. The oversight for the publication of The Echo has
been transferred to the Windham School System The
Superintendent of Windham will have oversight of the
newspaper. A staff person will be employed to work with
the offenders in the publication of the paper. The Echo will
continue to be written primarily by prisoners and will have
an offender editor. Mr. Morrow, the superintendent of
Windham Schools. states that no one will probably even note
any difference in the newspaper from the past. The Echo has
the 6th largest circulation of any newspaper in Texas. The
advisory board includes individuals from the chaplaincy,
health services. parole, education. and others. It's hoped that
the next issue will be published in July-August at the latest.
The prepackaged foods for lockdown have been ordered.
The program will be piloted on the Ferguson. Hughes and
Beto units first. If there are no problems, the program will
be expanded to include all units within a couple of months.
The procedure will be that breakfast will continued to be
served as it presently is on a lockdown. i.e., pancakes with
peanut butter, etc. Lunch and supper will be the
prepackaged foods. Ms. Kathy Cleere showed us a sample
of a day's worth of food. It consisted of chicken strips with
salsa. buttered noodles. cookie, crackers, spiced apples, and a
beef stew. I'm not sure if it will be enough to satisfy a large
man's hunger but the menu sounds pretty decent.
Commisary news As of September 1,2001, canned
goods will no longer be sold in the commissary. Samples of
products in the new packaging were shown and we were
allowed to take home "samples" of the food. I took the beef
stew and it was not bad. There was also chili, instant rice
and a variety of seafoods. We got a look at the hygiene
items that are all in a clear gel form and in clear plastic
containers. These included toothpaste. shampoo. shave
cream and moisturizing gel.
CONTACT VISITS ON THE DAY OF EXECUTION. It
was noted by TDCJ officials that, if the moratorium bill
passes in the legislature. we won't need to talk about this for
2 years. Gary Johnson stated that he has discussed this with
Wayne Scott and that contact visits on the day of execution
are not an option at this time.
Other death row issues were submitted but Kathy Cleere of
the Ombudsman's Office said they were unit-specific and-
would be addressed in writing rather than at the meeting.
However, I will tell you that I submitted concerns about the
administration of the death row leveling system on April 4th
and I am told that shortly thereafter. things began to change
on the unit. Other items brought to the officials attention
were inconsistencies in disciplinary cases. grooming
infractions. insufficient food for prisoners on levels 2 and 3,
new vending machine procedures, increase in amount a
prisoner is allowed to spend on postage. and work
program/televisions.
I will let you know in a future issue of the DRJ how these
issues were addressed in writing. The next family group
meeting will probably be at the end of July. Please send
your concerns and I will seek to have as many as possible
addressed.
Facts about the LHP
The LHP is an organization that does not have a specific
religious orientation. We will publish articles from
Death Row prisoners that reflect the beliefs of all
religions-or no religion.
We accept articles from ALL Death Row prisoners. We
try to give everyone a chance to air their opinions, etc.
If you don't like something you see in the DRJ, please
send us a short response or a piece of your own writing.
At this time our organization is run completely by
volunteers. This means that we are sometimes slow in
responding to letters and requests. Please be patient
with us. If you don't hear from us in a reasonable
amount of time, please write again to make sure we got
your first letter.
I hope to get caught up this summer.
Karen
by Karen Sebung
The following is information received at the quarterly
meeting of TDCJ officials with family group
representatives.
If a prisoner is in the hospital there, one may call the
count room to get the condition of prisoner but no
other information may be given by the count room.
The hot line for family medical concerns for all
prisoners in TDCJ is 936-437-4271. This hot line is
manned Monday-Friday from 8 am - 5 pm.
Your input is always appreciated.
Thanks.