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Oregon State Prison Survey |
Oregon State Prison, Survey - Hepatitis C, August 19, 2000
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52 inmates filled out the survey. Some questions were left blank. Last names and ID numbers of inmates have not been included due to confidentiality.
The questions given to the inmates were:
1. Name
2. To what degree have you been educated about Hepatitis C while inside the prison?
1. none
2. very little
3. sufficient amount of education
18 inmates circled a- none. 23 inmates circled b- very little, and 11 inmates circled c-sufficient amount of education. The inmates stated that the information that had been given to them was not from the DOC but they had been receiving more information from the organization HAAP (HIV/AIDS Awareness Program) that is inside of the prison. Also, from our organization, HCAP (Hepatitis C Awareness Project). We have been mailing packets to inmates upon request.
3. Have you received more information from the DOC on Hepatitis C in the past year?
1. yes
2. no
16 inmates said yes..as a result of HAAP (HIV/AIDS Awareness Program ran by the inmates along with the packets we mail to inmates) and 36 inmates said no
4. Has testing been made available to you?
1. yes
2. no
25 inmates answered that Hepatitis testing had been made available to them and 27 inmates said that testing had not been made available to them.
5. If testing was made available to you did you have difficulty getting tested?
1. yes
2. no
19 answered yes. 19 answered no.
6. Have you been diagnosed with Hepatitis C?
1. yes
2. no
22 inmates answered that they had been diagnosed with HCV and 24 inmates circled that they had not been diagnosed with HCV.
7. If you have been diagnosed have you been given a liver biopsy or explained what kind of care you will be receiving?
1. yes
2. no
Some of the inmates didn't circle this one. From the inmates that did circle this question (32 inmates) only 1 stated that he had received a liver biopsy or had a doctor explain to him about HCV follow up care.
The last question was titled, "Additional Comments". Below are some of the comments stated from inmates who filled out the form. (Inmates' full names are not included.)
Question: How long generally does it take for an inmate to receive care for Hepatitis C and when they do what kind of care is given.?
Responses:
"Several Months, if at all. Thank you for caring." -L
"OSP knows I have HepC but have not helped me. 5 years now. I've been waiting for the last 3 months." -R
"It has taken me 3 years to finally get tested for HepC!" -M
"I've been working on it for a year now." -G
"To get tested you've got to go through way too much run around and never get tested." -R
"Must have a court order to get help. They say I don't need shot's because my Hep-C is not bad enough. Blood level only 69. I think if there is a possibility the shots may stop my Hep-C they should give them to me. Also no meds or vitamins." -B
"None. Must sue them in court to receive treatment." -M
"I have been told that until I show symptoms, there is no reason to be tested." -K
"So far I've been working on this for over a year now and have received no treatment. The only thing I've been able to do is research on my own and follow the suggested lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, which was provided by other than the DOC." -T
"None. I need a biopsy." -W
"It's taken me 6 years so far and all they have done is draw 9 vials of blood and taken me downtown to see a Doctor."
"Have not been able to get tested yet. The last 3 years have been discouraging, as all efforts to get tested have been unfruitful. Recently I've heard some inmates are getting tested. I'm still waiting!!" -R
"You never get care. I've asked for a diet to be supplied by D.O.C. Health Services since I was cut off from VA Doctors (March 2000). They (DOC) won't answer my requests. I have cirrhosis." -G
"I've been asking for Rebetron, but all I've received is blood tests and 'feet dragging' (stalling for further treatment)" -R
"I have been incarcerated since 1988 and have received no care what-so-ever though the O.S.P. infirmary doctor says my blood tests reveal Hepatitis C. Food Services, Laundry Services and Infirmary Services all create an increased risk of infections and diseases due to poor, negligent, and dirty conditions."
"None that I know of. Health care is sadly overrated at OSP. Men have to wait hours sometime, while nurses and Doctor go have a cigarette break, which takes about 20-30 min. then they smell like smoke! Vets have hard time getting treatment that have service connected disabilities, and D.O.C. doesn't want to pay for necessary treatment, and meet with their medical committees to determine whether they want to spend money on inmate(s) who will be in prison for long-time, and are not returning to society real soon." -S
"In the D.O.C. I have no idea. I told the hospital here back in 12-96 when I found out via the V.A. that we have it. They seem indifferent, your not sick so no biggie, your liver numbers are only one point high so your O.K. but, I'm having stomach problems all the time, I'm tired all the time. Help!" -H
"Doesn't get any! I was only told I have B + C and would probably die of liver failure someday!" -B
"Up to a year. DOC works at preventing inmates from knowing about their conditions. They refuse to give the inmate copies of test results. They insist that raised enzymes don't mean anything until they're over 200 and there's no damage until months after that." -T
"Who knows. I'm still fighting to get treatment for my Hep C. I ended up in the hospital before I was diagnosed." -J
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