Medical Neglect of Prisoners: Interview with Sue Wilkie, Volunteer for the Jeff Dick's Medical Coalition

Are the inmates in our nation's prisons receiving the necessary medical attention when needed? Or do inmates go untreated, with less than adequate medical help? Sue is a volunteers for the Jeff Dick's Medical Coalition, and will speak about this important prison issue.

Sue, Could you give us a Bio about yourself?

My name is Sue Wilkie. I live in Great Britain, I am 43 years old, I have 2 sons ages 20 and 13. I love to read (when I have the time haha) also just spend some time chilling out with my family and friends. I love to listen to music while I am working, it gives me encouragement J I am also the President and Medical Director for the Jeff Dicks Medical Coalition.

I understand your a volunteer for The Jeff Dick's Medical Coalition, what is that organization all about?

The Jeff Dicks Medical Coalition is a human rights organization, we have volunteers who fight for the rights of those incarcerated who are not getting their medical needs met, or those who are being abused. We have inmates write to us from all over the US. We have volunteers who act on the inmates behalf by writing to the correct authorities and staff in the prison concerned bringing the complaint to light and also keep in touch with the inmates themselves. It can take months or even longer sometimes to actually get the inmate the care and treatment they need, and unfortunately there are also deaths which could have been avoided if the correct care/treatment had been given.

When was it founded, and where did the name come from?

The Jeff Dicks Medical Coalition was founded by Shirley Dicks in 1999 and was named in memory of her son Jeff Dicks. Jeff was on deathrow in Tennessee accused of a crime he did not commit. Jeff Dicks died on 10th May 1999 due to medical neglect, improper diet and lack of exercise. Jeff was left sitting in his cell for 3 days in excruciating pain, he was given Mallox instead of being sent to the hospital for tests on his heart-he had previously been told a second heart attack would kill him, the warden denied a cardiologist (who was prepared to donate his time free of charge) to see Jeff.

What exactly is it that you do?

As an organization we try to help the inmates who need medical care, we also deal with abuse cases. My role within the organization is to keep record of all the leaders (volunteers) we have, what states they are actually working on and the cases they have, I hold meetings online, we find them beneficial to get to know each other and pass ideas back and for. I also try to find more people to help us as it can be hard with so many cases to deal with. I send follow up letter to inmates randomly to see if they had the treatment they needed and were happy with the way we handled their case. I keep a record of all the inmates details who need help. We also have a newsletter that can be ordered or sent to inmates, we are also in the process of trying to find some funding, even if it is by way of stamps, paper, envelopes which will keep us going and helping the people who need our assistance.

How did you get started working on behalf of prisoners?

How did I start.....haha well I think I started the same way as so many other British people, by writing to a penpal or 2, I saw a website that stated some inmates didn't have any contact with the outside world...so I decided I wanted to make someone smile by getting a letter. I thought about it for a few days and then started writing letters. I found out about the Jeff Dicks Coalition through a prison support website, I emailed Shirley, read about Jeff and his case, shed a few tears and my mind was made up...I joined the group, started with online research and progressed on to the work I am doing now.

Do you have a loved one in prison?

I don't have any family members in jail but I still have penpals whom I'm very fond of I still love to see their letters arrive, and as anyone in this position knows the mailmen get the brunt of it if the letters don't arrive on time haha.

What medical problems do our nations prisons face?

There is every kind of medical problem you can think of in the jails from an inmate needing glasses or dental treatment to cancer/hep c treatment not being given. We have so many requests for help that I cannot say there is 1 health problem worse than an other. Other requests for help include inmates with broken bones and no pain relief or x-ray given, elderly inmates having to share a dorm with young inmates and having to sleep on a top bunk, walking maybe a mile to the chow hall.

Can you tell us about mental health care in prison?

Mental health care is a big problem, there are so many inmates not getting the treatment they desperately need to be able to deal with the mental issues they have on a daily basis, this in turn just causes more trauma for the inmate and problems for the prison system. If the guys/girls needing mental health care were given the continual support and treatment needed their time inside would be more productive for all concerned.

Do you also work with abused inmates?

There are also abuse that is suffered by the inmates, it can be mental, physical or sexual abuse and it can be inflicted on the inmates by the guards or other inmates, on our website you can find many cases which have actually taken place...the website is www.jeffdicks.org

Do you have any links and contact information about this organization?

There are a few ways in which you can contact anyone from the Jeff Dicks Medical Coalition,

The websites www.jeffdicks.org or www.jeffdicksfoundationuk.com Or emails mine is swilkies12@aol.com or Shirley's sdicks@blomand.net

We also have a Myspace page just type in the search Jeff Dicks Coalition

I want to thank you for this interview, and at this time if there is anything you would like to add, please do so.

It would be great if more people wanted to join us to help change the way the system is giving medical care. If anyone would like to help us please contact me, I always think ...."what if it was a loved one of mine??????" There are a number of ways people can help us, we hope one day we will be able to start youth groups also as they are at risk of becoming the next generation to have to endure more pain and suffering should they make any mistakes in life.

This organization is looking for volunteers. If you would like to join, please use the contact information provided.