A Mother's Plea for Mentally Ill Son in Prison: Interview

Are prisons the new mental institutions? When some one is mentally ill in prison they face additional problems. Here is an interview with Gloria, who has a son in Texas prison. She speaks about his illness, and what life is like for him in prison.

Please give a bio of you and your son.

My name is Gloria Isaac Salazar, 60 years old, live in San Antonio, Texas. I am currently staying at home and babysit 5 grandchildren. My main interest is watching my grandkids grow up and live a good life with a good strong faith. I took care of my mother for one year and half before she passed away last August, 2006. I believe in God Almighty and have tried to pass on my knowledge to my children and grandchildren. I am a very patient person and very compassionate. I am a married mother of five (5) children ages, 40, 36, 32, 29, and 23 years of age. Have been married for 41 years to the same man. I have twelve (12) grandchildren. I miss my sons two sons, because his ex wife will not allow us to see them, I did go to court to get grandparents visitation rights, but was only given one (1) Sunday every month, from 9-5. Which is not lot because they like to go to the park or fishing but with that little time, we cannot do very much. I have a very close relationship with my son Larry, in part because of his illness. But we can communicate and according to his doctors, I am his strong hold on life. That is why I keep up with him and write often, make phone calls to the unit wherever he is assigned.

Larry Eliodoro Salazar

Born May 28, 1978 in San Antonio, Texas

When Larry was 6 months he had high fevers, then seizures until he reached the age of 5 yrs old.

The fevers stopped and so did the seizures.

Larry went to kindergarten at age 5 to Sun Valley Elementary. He did really good.

First grade went good as well, except Larry was a very quiet person, teachers would tell me he was a real good student, only very quiet.

All Through elementary he was a good quiet little guy.

In Middle school, Southwest Middle school, he grew and he was kind of big for kids his age, and he was still quiet. But he did get into a little trouble but I do not remember the incident. I did have to go the school and speak with the principal and he had one day in school suspension. After that incident the school police, and even the principal would always question Larry whenever anything happened at the school. He sometimes felt like they were always just watching him or trying to blame him for something. But I would tell him to just do his work at school and behave and things would get better, and if they did not I would go and talk to the principal about what he felt was going on.

In high school things did get worse for him, at Southwest High School, of course there were gangs and one time some members wanted Larry to be a part of them, he refused and they said they were going to jump him. Larry went to inform the Vice-Principal (Mr. Mora). I called the Vice-Principal and told him to please talk to Larry. He said he would make time that morning, but he did not do it in time, they jumped Larry at his locker. I was called to go to the nurses office because something had happened to Larry. I was angry at the Vice principal for not doing something to protect my son. He suggested Larry get his GED, because he could not protect him always in school. I thought they were there to learn and they were to be able to feel safe. But the threats continued so I did take Larry out and he signed the papers for Larry to get his GED. His name was Mr. Mora.

Larry did get his GED.

I understand your son is incarcerated, what for and how long?

He is in prison for capital murder and was given 40 years, but this is the Texas Law of Parties.

Does your son suffer from a mental illness?

He started getting sick, bad headaches, heart beating real fast, feeling like he was going to pass out. Took him to the doctor they first said it would pass gave him some medicine for a virus. It did not go away that year when Larry was 16, we had the ambulance at our house 6 times. Until we found a good doctor his primary doctor suggested he go see a psychiatrist because to him Larry had anxiety attacks or panic attacks.

He went to see Dr. Simpson with the Mental Health group on Floyd Curl. He at first did get along with Larry, because he would not talk to anyone, he would be very quiet making faces. So I intervened and told the doctor my son does not understand what is going on with him and he feels uncomfortable with you, so just explain to him what is wrong step by step. And he did, then he had a therapist work with Larry doing some type of bio rhythm. After a while I felt that the doctor and therapist were just giving him medication and not working on the problem. Larry would not leave his room, he confined himself to his room, months went by before he would join us in the dining room to eat. He would eat in his room. Then years passed and we changed doctors, this doctor helped a little, Dr. M. Rodriguez and Larry progressed to go outside in our yard, we were so happy to see him with a smile because he always felt bad and wanted to get better. The medications were the same but the dosage was increased. Zanax was given then other medication to help with the depression and mood swings.

Then he met with Anna, they had been school sweethearts and they married, but his illness was still there; I tried to explain to Anna about his illness she did not understand it and thought Larry did not want to be with her, but I got her some literature to read and some tapes. Another doctor came in the picture and I applied for Larry to get Social Security Income. He was denied the first time, then the following year I took Larry to an attorney and this time he was accepted. So now he was seeing a doctor that would accept Medicaid, Dr. Habib and his therapist would work with Larry and they were doing a good job together with Larry, but he said he was retiring and the therapist was leaving town, so Larry had to find another doctor. He recommended Dr. Francisco Rodriguez and that is who Larry had been seeing up until 3-4 months ago, because Larry has been trying to get off the medication and try to get rid of his illness, but his medical doctor Dr. Ruiz has been prescribing his medication until he finds a psychiatrist.

When Larry is not on his medication, he gets really sick he feels like I mentioned above, heart palpitating fast, sweaty hands, feels like passing out and has a hard time breathing, chest feels tight.

And he feels that he is having a heart attack. Is fearful of being out alone.

Larry has been in the hospital for his illness several times for 3 days at a time, he wants to really be rid of this illness and medication, but has not found a reliable doctor that will help him in his endeavor. Once his attacks start coming there is no stopping them unless he is in a comfortable zone.

Now I have written all of this because I sincerely believe wherever my son is they need to know all of this about Larry so that he can be taken care of while he is in jail/prison, because I do not want him to get worse while he is in there, if the proper medical people are not made aware of his situation. He has panic attacks agoraphobia, with anxiety and mood swings. Dr. San Maniego was the last doctor to treat my son Larry and he diagnosed Larry as Bi Polar. This explains his mood changes for no apparent reason.

The following is a list of doctors that have seen Larry:

Dr. Simpson Mental Health/Mental Retardation Floyd Curl Drive

Abel Hipolito Private Doctor 614-2888 (He suggested hypnosis)

Nathan Habib Private Doctor 614-9595

Francisco Rodriguez Private Doctor 224-1616

Hector Sanmaniego Private Doctor 732-1773 (Larry saw him and his diagnosis was that Larry has Bi-Polar)

What problems does he face in prison because of this?

My son has been threatened by gang members, the guards have mazed him several times I saw him when his face was all read like a rash from the maze; and this is because of his illness and he cannot be around people, he feels isolated. He does not eat properly, hygiene is not his priority, sleeps a lot, and feels everyone is out to hurt him.

Is he recieving medicine or treatment for his illness?

The medication he is receiving in prison is for depression, he has been given Prozac 60mgs, then was changed to Celexa, these two were not helping his illness; then the Unit doctor changed it to a tranquilizer. My son had an allergic reaction to this tranquilizer, and it took the guards 2 hours to get a nurse to check my son while at Wynne Unit. He had to be transported to Estelle unit to be stabilized, he had red spots all over and his tongue swollen and he had trouble breathing. I requested the name of the medication but was given the excuse that I need to speak with the head of medical. I tried numerous calls, but never could get in touch with the right personnel.

How does being in a prison environment make it more difficult for someone with a mental illness?

There is no safe zone so to speak, and a person with this illness has to be alert and sometimes huddle up in the cot, sort of like fetal position for safety. This illness hinders their outlook in life they feel isolated and like nobody understands them or care; they feel that everybody is out to hurt them or kill them. Their body reacts to this illness that makes them feel that they are dying, or will die from the heart pounding and feeling light headed, headaches. They feel helpless and sometimes see no other way out but death, some will try to kill themselves in order to stop the pain and suffering of this illness.

Is there another unit in Texas more suited for his needs?

In Texas there is one Unit that is acceptable for this type of illness, and that is SkyView, my son was there before and he did really good while there, but because it was a safe environment with the right medication and medical personnel. He wound up there the first time because my son tried to kill himself, now he is there once again, but they want to send him back to the Wynne Unit, which is not the appropriate place for him, due to his illness.

Are you able to visit him often, and if so what are the visits like?

My husband and myself try to visit him at least once a month, due the gas prices and it is quite a bit far away from our home. Our visits are very peaceful and wonderful just to see him but not able to embrace him, they have him in isolation. We talk about his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and especially his two boys. He has not seen them in over a year, his ex-wife will not allow us to take them to visit him, they have been to visit him when he was at Ferguson Unit and we had contact visits. His two boys would run to hug him and hold him tight. When it is time to say goodbye, I hide my tears from him, because I feel helpless, I wish I could do more to help my son be in the right place. He throws kisses to me and we say a little prayer before he is taken away.

How does he spend his time in prison?

He cannot do very much because he is only given one hour to go and shower and do whatever he needs to do within that hour. He has requested magazines to read or crossword puzzles, which the family had sent him subscriptions, but sometimes he says he does not feel like reading or nothing much of anything.

What kind of help are you seeking for your son?

My son needs to be in the facility that will provide the medications that he needs and will be given the medical attention needed. If he is given the right medical needs then my son can do his time in prison, he is not a violent person even though his conviction says otherwise.

At this time if there is anything you would like to add, please do so.

I am giving you a list of the medications that my son has been on, while on the outside.

Lexpro -20 mgs daily Buspar -10mgs 3xday Ativan - 1 mgs daily

Abilify - 15 mgs daily (this was discontinued in 1-23-04) Lorazepan - 2 mgs daily

Xanax - 2 mgs 3xday Dalmane - 30 mgs

After helping my son with his illness for so many years, I got to the point that I understand his inner feelings and Larry and myself have a very good relationship that we can sit down and talk about anything that bothers him or about his feelings. I have gotten to understand him inside and out, there is nothing that he cannot tell me; for I will listen to him and try to help him.

Without sounding angry or bitter, but I have been writing letters, emails and numberous phone calls, to the UTMB Medical personnel and other personnel from the Criminal Justice system, I have all of their replies but they all look the same, generic without actually replying to my questions. Even the Senator's office does not reply, Governor's office, Lt. Gov Dewhurst, Congressman nothing as of this date. I have been doing this for over a year.