As I state in the following letter to Alaska Department of Corrections Director of Institutions, Leitoni Tupou, I was informed on August 16, 2006, that my treatment for Hepatitis C had failed. The letter concerns, not the failure of my treatment, but, instead, the failure of CCA’s Medical Department to follow treatment protocols or adhere to the strict treatment regimen absolutely necessary to treatment success.
Vaccinations were delayed or denied, incorrect dosing was utilized for several years, and medications were, almost routinely, not provided in a timely manner, there was inadequate psychological supervision, and the denial of palliative care was the norm.
With the exception of the kindly ear of a couple of the nursing staff, who could affect no meaningful change in the process, my complaints, both verbal and written, resulted in administrative denial, finger-pointing, and trivializing, resulted in my own feelings of frustration, helplessness, anger, and fear, and, in all likelihood, contributed to the failure of my treatment.
The “Open Letter” is accompanied by supporting written documentation from my own treatment period including: Medical Requests, Grievances, Appeals, letters to and from Mr. Tupou, and even a previous essay that may be found on this site. As you peruse both the letter and documentation, keep in mind that failure to treat prisoners with Hepatitis C, and other communicable diseases, is not a “prison problem,” since most prisoners will eventually be released, usually with these diseases untreated, and, in some cases without the prisoner even being informed of their infection.
Thank you for your consideration. An email, letter or phone call to your State and Federal Representatives would be more appreciated.
Anthony Lee Brown 10/8/6 CCA/RRCC