Thread by @ORprisonreport

Oregon Prison Report: Voices from the Inside

CW: self-harm, suicidal ideation

"My wish is to hold ODOC accountable in any legal way. Changes MUST be made soon to prevent this from happening to anyone...”

“Any and all help is much needed and I'm grateful for your time in reading this...” Nothing gets done until we stand up and say, ‘That's wrong.’ ... Please help me."

(Testimony from Critical Resistance PDX's (@CR_PDX) Write Them All Campaign)

Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI) / October 26th, 2020.
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#ODOCKills #KateBrownKills #FreeThemAll

Hello,

My name is ____ _____. I'm currently housed at Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI). I'm writing you for help, legal referrals, aid, or any other assistance you can offer.

My experience with COVID-19 was not pleasant. While I was sick I suffered humiliation, neglect, and mental / physical abuse by SRCI staff. On July 28th I was sent to 1F medical unit due to my COVID-19 symptoms.

My first week I was only allowed 1 shower 2 1/2 of those almost 8 days I was forced to stay in my own filth due to a bathroom accident that both security and medical staff were aware of. Unfortunately, during my more than 2 weeks on 1F, this would not be the only incident.

This second accident I was accused by Security, Medical, and BHS for doing it on purpose, all of them knowing I'm sick with COVID. I still have the package of wipes as evidence that they were in fact aware of my accident.

They said showers on 1F are Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. I learned these days would be skipped if the officer chose to, which is why I got 1 shower in 8 days.

This "care" I and others received while sick was humiliating, a humiliation I feel to this day. It was cruel and inhumane.

DRO (Disability Rights Oregon) sent me your info as well as a notice of TORT form. Unfortunately, due to their limited resources, they cannot offer me assistance at this time.

I've sent a similar letter to Juan Chavez at the Oregon Justice Resource Center and the ACLU in Portland. I've yet to get a response from either. I understand in 2020 that everyone is very busy and Civil Rights resources are increasingly being stretched thin.

I have filed a grievance. It was accepted and sent for a response. It's been well past the 35 day response time. I've sent a kyte to Ms. Wiley (Grievance Coordinator) requesting my overdue response. To preserve time for litigation, I intend to file my TORT claim notice soon.

I just need my response from SRCI, and I believe they're intentionally stalling to run the clock past the 180 days TORT claim notice time limit.

I lack legal knowledge in fighting the ODOC machine. I will file my TORT notice, but I have no idea where to go from there. I've requested time in the Law Library. I have yet to gain access to the Law Library.

I do know that SRCI violated ODOC shower medical care policy, my basic rights as a human, and my 8th Amendment right. It seems the Grievance Coordinator agrees there was a violation. A violation that still haunts me to this day.

My current symptoms from COVID, i.e. lung damage, stomach pain, body pain, are minor compared to the BHS (Behavioral Health Services) symptoms I still carry, i.e. self-harm, extreme depression, humiliation, and the urge to just end the pain.

Before COVID I was already a Mental Health Risk 3 (the highest). It's been almost 3 months since I left 1F medical unit. I am extremely depressed. I feel less than human. I feel less than the SID # they classify me to be.

I have NO confidence that SRCI medical / BHS will provide me with any help I need now or in the future. A similar incident that drives that lack of confidence was that I suffered severe psychological abuse at the hand of CO Carter. After 9 months of his abuse I snapped.

I cut my wrist, bleeding in the dayroom screaming at him for abusing me. I filed a grievance against CO Carter. It was accepted, he denied it, I appealed his response, that appeal was also accepted.

The point is that through this abuse, medical and BHS did almost nothing. I was removed from my privileged housing and placed on MHE (mental health unit) only as a bed-filler, NOT as a mental health prisoner. I was removed from my privileged job for BHS reasons (self-harm).

This all seems like punishment by SRCI for my grievances. I feel fear going to evening med-line or yard.

I am defenseless against this man and the system that protects him. Sgt. Main and Lt. Anderson both told me they'll always take Carter's side, which is against ODOC policy.

Wrong is wrong and what's right is right. It shouldn't matter that my clothes say "Inmate" and theirs don't. As far as 1F medical unit goes, I'm not the only one who has suffered. SRCI policy claims any effort to come together to tell our story is unauthorized organization.

I have sent a kyte to medical refusing all care while housed at SRCI. I have NO confidence in them. I was sick with COVID-19 and medical, BHS, and, of course, security neglected to provide me with just the basic needs when I needed them...

... i.e. showers, clean clothes (mine were soiled), sanitation supplies, and, believe it or not, Aspirin, Tylenol, hot water, ice, etc.

These are NOT incentive items, they're things people need when they're vomiting, body-aches, diarrhea, chills, hot flashes, sore throat from constantly coughing, as well as other pains, mental and physical.

I was offered more phone calls on F-unit than I was hygiene items / supplies and showers. THAT'S WRONG. We were NOT in trouble, we were sick.

I understand others when they feel there's "no winning against the DOC machine." I'm already receiving passive aggressive retaliation for my grievances.

I understand my fellow prisoners fear to fight to hold SRCI / ODOC accountable for their treatment, but after F-unit I cannot continue sitting down while being abused, especially during this pandemic or any possible pandemic in the future. How will ODOC handle it then?

I'm now alone in this. I currently have NO legal assistance. I've sent several letters like this asking for help. I know it's a battle. I believe and have been told I have a legitimate case. I only lack the knowledge and the resources.

These 2 things ODOC is taking advantage of. I swear everything I have written is the truth, I will swear it under death.

This letter is a condensed letter of a 12-page letter I sent to DRO and to my sister and mother. The longer letter is a more detailed one, with names, dates, the treatment Terry Buster gave me after F-unit while I was sick with COVID still. He's the BHS manager at SRCI.

My sister and mother are trying hard to help, but they themselves lack legal knowledge. They've reached out to ODOC HQ in Salem, OR, and have not gotten a response. They have full Power of Attorney over me. I encourage anyone to contact them.

I give my consent for you to share this letter with whomever you need to, i.e., the public, DOJ, or anyone you deem fit to read its contents. I swear by all these claims under perjury.

My wish is to hold ODOC accountable in any legal way. Changes MUST be made soon to prevent this from happening to anyone. Any and all help is much needed and I'm grateful for your time in reading this. Nothing gets done until we stand up and say, "That's wrong."

Given my current mental health issues, I'm unsure of my future and where I'll be, SRCI is making a point to disrupt me, i.e., opening legal mail from DRO, etc. Please help me. Thank you.

P.S. All of my documents I'm planning to make copies of before I send them with my notice of TORT. I'd be glad to share all evidence with anyone who feels they need to see them.

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