TRYING to help those who don't know where to turn

Vision Statement:  Humanity for Prisoners seeks to provide personalized, problem-solving services for inmates who don’t know where to turn.

To some, that might seem rather trite and meaningless.  What?  Prisoners not getting along with a room-mate?  Prisoners not getting enough exercise time?  Prisoners complaining about a broken micro-wave oven? A sore finger? A toothache?  Etc, etc.

Hardly.  Here are four staring us in the face right now.

We’ve just appealed to the front office in Lansing to cut through red tape, and help an 81 year old man whose foot injury began with a blister on his big toe in 2013.  Due to what appears to be lack of appropriate care and treatment for the past three years, there have been resulting problems such as gangrene.  And it’s not restricted to the toe any more, or even the foot.  The leg is involved.  One of our consulting physicians labeled it “malpractice,” and said the man is in danger of losing his foot, or possibly even his leg! 

We’ve managed to pair up the mother of an inmate with an attorney, as they discuss possible legal action due to alleged poor treatment of a girl in Huron Valley who struggles with diabetes and seizures.  The claims about medical care, or lack thereof, are outrageous.  The mom has expressed a concern for her daughter’s life!

We’re holding the hand of a daughter whose mother was to have been released from prison last month…a woman who is not in good health.  She didn’t get out, due to some technicalities, and her health has gone south.  The woman is in a hospital, and it doesn’t sound good.  Meanwhile, the daughter still has not been able to gain permission to even visit her mom!

Our medical team has forwarded lab work to some specialists, as we try to help a 53 year old inmate.  Jimmy’s Hepatitis C and related issues have seriously worsened in the past 5 years.  He’s in misery, claims shoddy treatment by healthcare personnel, and says he can’t get the medical care that his body demands.  He’s now asking our doctors how long he has to live!

Trivial matters?  Not by a long shot.  These are life-and-death issues, and they’re not treated lightly by our staff and volunteers.

Only through the cooperation, assistance and support of an amazing Board of Directors, an impressive advisory panel of specialists in many professions, and the love, prayers and dollars of our partners can HFP continue to touch lives.

May God continue to bless our work down in the trenches.  Some days it’s not much fun.

Comments

Justice4Dan said…
Thank you Doug and family and staff for what you all do and listen to the voices who need our support so desperately. God's blessing to all!
September 17, 2016 at 12:06 PM
Justice4Dan said…
Thank you Doug and family and staff for what you all do and listen to the voices who need our support so desperately. God's blessing to all!
September 17, 2016 at 12:06 PM
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