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| Photo from CT Post |
Dear Sir/Madam,
Some
months ago, I was made privy to personal letters written by someone who
is incarcerated in the CT prison system. These letters go back many
years. To make a long story short, based on what this person has
written over and over again, prisoners are often denied the medical
treatment they need and even deliberately abused.
I
can no longer remain silent, knowing this maltreatment is going on.
Attached are a few pages from the last letter from him. I will let you
read them for yourself and draw your own conclusions.
However, I will say this. In most cases, the loss of freedom is enough punishment. It is inhumane to deny those charged into the custody of the state necessary medical care, especially when that denial results in unnecessary suffering. Often times, prisoners are denied something as simple as a decent mattress, which is readily available. Other times, they are denied treatment they are entitled to, not just under the Americans with Disabilities Act, but simply because they are human beings.
However, I will say this. In most cases, the loss of freedom is enough punishment. It is inhumane to deny those charged into the custody of the state necessary medical care, especially when that denial results in unnecessary suffering. Often times, prisoners are denied something as simple as a decent mattress, which is readily available. Other times, they are denied treatment they are entitled to, not just under the Americans with Disabilities Act, but simply because they are human beings.
It
is incomprehensible that the legislature would repeal the death penalty
under the guise that it is cruel and unusual punishment, yet allow
prisoners to suffer through a lack of medical care and sometimes even at
the hands of guards who choose to ignore their needs or to engage in
deliberate harassment of prisoners.
This entire series of letters, entitled "From Behind Bars" may be accessed in The Middletown Insider, here: http://www.middletowninsider.com/search?q=behind+bars&max-results=20&by-date=true
I urge the legislature to take up this matter as soon as possible.
Very truly yours,
This entire series of letters, entitled "From Behind Bars" may be accessed in The Middletown Insider, here: http://www.middletowninsider.com/search?q=behind+bars&max-results=20&by-date=true
I urge the legislature to take up this matter as soon as possible.
Very truly yours,
They treat prisoners better than we treat out solders. Especially in basic training.
ReplyDeletethey are in prison. Its not a pleasure cruise. Maybe they should have thought twice about committing a crime.
I don't think we should make it comfortable for them.
How about the injuries, both physical and mental 0r even death to their victim and their families?
"They treat prisoners better than we treat out solders." They treat terrorists at Gitmo better than they treat petty criminals in Connecticut jails. How would you know how they treat soldiers? I've been through basic training and YOU are full of shit. My guess is you have been neither. (yet)
ReplyDelete"they are in prison. Its not a pleasure cruise." No shit, Doc.
"Maybe they should have thought twice about committing a crime." No one in the history of Connecticut has ever been wrongfully accused or convicted. Yeah, right.
"I don't think we should make it comfortable for them." Define your idea of comfort. Or cruelty. Should guards be allowed to torment prisoners or to deprive them of basic necessities? Should prisoners be deprived of medical care necessary to alleviate suffering?
"How about the injuries, both physical and mental 0r (sic) even death to their victim and their families?" That is why some of them are in jail, but how about the wrongfully convicted? Or petty criminals? Or those convicted of victimless crimes?