The following came to me via email today from an advocate in Texas…A fine example of healthcare not only in Texas, but other states as well.
Inmate Patrick Smith # 896428 Estelle unit. This man has been in this condition since May of 1907! because they claim he is lying about his medical condition. It is appalling what is being done and has been done to this man. The letter he wrote to me actually sickened me. I can’t fathom that anyone could treat another human being like this.He has been on crutches since 5/31/07 He is blind in one eye and very poor vision in the other from being abused as a child. He has a broken knee for nearly a year now that needs surgery. He has been thrown from wheelchairs and made to crawl by some sadistic guards. Grievance #2009138931 states that on 4-20-09 officers Murray, Menshaw assaulted him with his own crutches hitting him on his back, left shoulder and took turns standing on his broken knee. He says Inmate Burrel Wilkins # 1520744 was in cell across from him and witnessed this. In another incident these officers beat him so severe they cracked his crutch.No video camera was used.
Also he was forced to climb stairs on crutches which caused him to fall, Sgt Butler, and sgt David Fransaw and a captain Cobeen-then they gave him a disciplinary case for not following orders. He has been repeatedly forced to hop on and off the buses while in transport to other units and fell once again. ON 10/27/08 he was transferred to Hughes Unit from Walls Unit forced to hop on and off bus on 1 leg. Once there he was placed in an area where they house inmates waiting disciplinary- solitary confinement. I was told I was told no crutches, canes, walkers, for security reasons and they would get a wheelchair to take me to my appointments. I was waiting to get a cell opened for my medical restrictions but in the meantime I was forced to crawl on the floor to get my meals and medications and was not allowed the use of a medical shower
They deny him even his slow shower pass and even a little ace bandage wrap. I have his medical records and MRI’s that were done. Why have they not performed surgery as ordered back in January. . . The pain is so severe he cannot even sleep. Also the nurse that dispenses the meds there is forcing inmates to take meds on an empty stomach when they specifically say to take with food.
On3-17-09 Beto Officers with a Sgt Olsen used excessive force on him constantly jerking his painful left knee and they knew it was broken because the PA Roe told Sgt Olsen the previously day that it was. One of the officers can easily be seen on the use of force video camera holding me upside down by my ankles constantly pulling my injured left knee while I am handcuffed from behind and both ankles shackled.
