LET'S TAKE ACTION~
CONDITIONS/ MEDICAL/MENTAL HEALTH
GETTING GOING ~
You're going to need to be their ER contact of course. If You're not on there, ask the facility to give the form (ROI) to your loved one (one you're advocating for) to fill out. Once on ~ you'll work with all staff directly.
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GATHER FACTS: Dates, times, names of staff, locations, and specific conditions (e.g., no heat, lack of medical care, unsanitary cells, denial of food, excessive isolation).
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Current symptoms, danger/ Paper trail: Have your loved one keep a dated journal of pain, symptoms, and treatment refusals. Encourage them to file HSR'S, IRR'S (even if they already have, because the facilities tend to discard them)
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Medical history: Make calls to Nurse/ Mental health within facility and begin collecting medical records, prescriptions, diagnoses, doctor notes... IT CAN TAKE UP TO 10-Infinite APPROACHES TO GET ONE ON THE PHONE. KEEP TRYING.
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ASK FOR Wellness Checks: Families can call shift supervisors to request a wellness check if they fear immediate danger.
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KEEP ALL: copies of grievances, and violations!
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Families can then reference those requests in follow-up letters.
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Write and or record conversations~ be sure to get ALL the names and times of whom you've spoken with.
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Dates, staff names, and responses matter in case of later legal action.
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Keep copies of everything you send ~ If possible, send by certified- mail or email with confirmation.
STAY CONSISTANT AND FOLLOW UP.
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The most effective advocates are steady, respectful, and relentless.
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CALL EVERYDAY DAY when there is an ER. Every few days for legit concerns.
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WRITE WEEKLY ~to Administrative staff on repeat until progress is made.
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OUTSIDE & SUPPORT IF IGNORED
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DOC Central Office: Every state DOC has a medical services bureau. Families can escalate unresolved cases here.
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State Medical Board: Ask outside physicians to fax/forward care recommendations to the prison medical unit. EXAMPLE using Jefferson City/County you call Centurion Health. If a contracted physician is negligent, you can file a complaint with the state licensing board.
KEY ADVOCACY TIPS:
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Be concise: phone calls or one-page letters are often more effective than long ones.
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Be factual and calm even if the situation is emotional — officials respond better to clarity and documentation.
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Never threaten; instead, cite rights and oversight channels firmly.
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Build allies: if other families are experiencing similar conditions, a joint letter carries more weight.
Sample Letter Template:
Family Advocacy for conditions/ Medical/Mental Health
SUNSHINE LAWS ~ are regulations that require government agencies and certain businesses to make their meetings, records, and activities accessible to the public. These laws aim to promote transparency, prevent corruption, and uphold ethical standards.
(Optional but Powerful)
This template is to be altered accordingly with issue/s at hand:
Copy and paste:
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Sent to wardens, facility administrators, directly to medical/mental health, legislators, attorneys, or advocacy groups.
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Adjusted for tone (more formal/legal or more personal/emotional) depending on the recipient.
Name of loved one :
DOC #
Prison/facility
City,
Date
CONDITIONS CONSTITIUTE A SERIOUS DEPRIVATION OF
BASIC HUMAN NEEDS AND 8TH AMMENDMENT RIGHTS.
To Whom this Concerns,
I am writing as a concerned family member of (Name of Incarcerated Loved One)
who is currently housed at [Facility Name]. I respectfully request immediate attention to: His/Her's mental health needs and conditions of confinement.
(Name of loved one), like many others in custody, is vulnerable and requires proper medical/mental health care. Instead, he faces conditions that worsen his well-being, including: EXAMPLE:
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Prolonged isolation and lack of human contact.
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Inadequate or harmful “suicide watch” practices that traumatize rather than protect.
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Denial of consistent mental health treatment, medication, therapy, or rehabilitation programming.
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Unsafe and degrading conditions (unsanitary cells, no clean water, excessive force, withheld meals...).
These conditions not only violate basic human dignity but also worsen mental- health crises, increasing the risk of self-harm, violence, and long-term trauma. Families like ours live in constant fear for the safety of our loved one.
EXAMPLES: We urge you to:
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Ensure immediate and ongoing access to care for (Name of loved one) and the other's in crisis.
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Provide (Name of loved one) their meds, food, warmth, property, safety...
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Provide safe, humane suicide practices that protect rather than punish.
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Guarantee regular family/friend contact (tablet, phone, mail) as vital emotional support.
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Offer "TRUE" rehabilitation-focused programming to address addiction, trauma, mental health, not cause or intensify it.
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Establish accountability and oversight so abuses are reported and corrected
We believe incarceration itself is the punishment. Stripping people of dignity,
health, and basic care is not justice — it is harm. Addressing these concerns will not only protect lives inside the facility (including staff) but will also strengthen families, communities, and public trust.
We ask that you treat this matter with the urgency it deserves. Please provide a written response outlining the steps you will take to address these issues.
Sincerelely,
Your Full Name)
Who you are to Loved One’s Name)
Contact here)
