Hepatitis C

[BSSlady]

I am the mother of a son in Theo Lacy County Jail, he has hepatitis c. I am trying to find out how I can get an outside doctor to see him so that we can get a second opinion on his condidtion.

[pooh55811]

I do not know for sure if these sources can help you but they might be able to offer you some help and/or information.

You might try calling the local American Civil Liberties Union. Be sure to tell them that he has Hep C and is (apparently) being denied appropriate medical care:

ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) of Southern CA
1313 West Eighth St., #200
Los Angeles, CA 90017
http://www.aclu-sc.org
[phone]  

In addition, even though they help mainly with people in CA state prisons, you might try contacting the Prison Law Office. Even if they cannot or do not help with county jail situations, they may be able to direct you to someone or some organization that does.

'If you or a family member have an issue that you believe we can assist with, please feel free to contact our office. Letters concerning individual prisoners and prison conditions can be addressed to:"
Prison Law Office
General Delivery
San Quentin, CA 94964

http://www.prisonpolicy.org/resources/legal/CA/


And this website has several resources listed. Hopefully at least one will be helpful to you:

http://www.hcvinprison.org/coalition-members


If your lawyer does not know which Gastroenterologists in your area do jail hepatology care or consults, then perhaps one the the above listed sources will know.

If you get a court order, the jail will have to follow that order.

[BSSlady]

Thank you all for your replies, at this time nothing  seems to be working for us.

[reopokermom]

I am the sister of Basslady's son in theo lacy jail. He's a "high security" inmate and don't even want to take him to the local hospital because it takes extra deputy's so he keeps getting "bumped" for his gastro appts in order to serve the masses....(You'll have to wait till next time ....etc)
His platelets were previously as low as 43 so the gastro said they were to low to treat (inf) but now they're up to 87. Anyway, my questions is does anyone know of any gastro in the OC area that would agree to GO TO THE JAIL for a fee provided we obtain a court ordered approval?
Many thanks to all who've replied.

[stormy456]

Excellent information.

[copyman]

Contact a Hep doctor by the name of Ben Cecil. He is an advocate for people in jail with HCV. He has helped people in your situation many times in the past. Best of luck

[BoceprevirGal]

   I think he should talk to his lawyer (or Public Defender, same thing) and go to Court, and get a Court Order from a Judge, to see an outside Doctor.
    A good place to start is a liver biopsy. He can be taken to an outside hospital, to have this done. It will be a good idea for him to let the judge know why he wants the biopsy:  he can mention any symptoms he is having, and how long he thinks he has had the Hep C virus, etc.