The Silent Crisis: Medical Neglect Behind Prison Walls

As we watch the news and see reports of rising cases of RSV, flu, measles, COVID, and other airborne and respiratory diseases, we must ask ourselves: what about those suffering behind prison walls? The reality of medical neglect in our nation’s correctional facilities is a crisis we cannot afford to ignore.

Imagine being confined to a space with poor air quality, where access to fresh air and sunlight is rare. Where nutritious food is non-existent, and the most common medical response to serious health concerns is simply being handed Tylenol. This is the everyday reality for incarcerated individuals across the country.

Recently, an inmate suffering from shingles—an excruciatingly painful condition—was left without proper medical care for days because prison medical staff failed to identify it in time. During those days, he endured intense pain with no real relief. This is not an isolated incident; it is the norm. The same neglect applies to head and chest congestion, where inmates are dismissed with minimal treatment regardless of severity.

During the pandemic, we saw the devastating impact of airborne illnesses in these facilities. The lack of medical intervention, proper sanitation, and humane treatment led to preventable deaths. And yet, here we are again, facing another wave of dangerous illnesses, and incarcerated individuals remain unseen, unheard, and untreated.

This is not just about prisoners; this is about human rights. The Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, yet denying necessary medical care is exactly that. Poor healthcare in prisons not only affects inmates but also extends to communities once they are released—carrying untreated and undiagnosed illnesses back into society.

We MUST acknowledge this issue. We must demand change. A Mother’s Cry urges you to contact your legislators and demand immediate attention to the medical neglect in our prison system. Demand that inmates receive proper medical care, time outdoors, fresh air, and adequate nutrition.

Incarceration should not be a death sentence due to medical neglect. Let’s raise our voices for those who have been silenced behind prison walls.

#EndMedicalNeglect #PrisonHealthcareCrisis #HumanRightsForAll