How to Receive Health Care While Incarcerated

The current health care crisis in U.S. prisons is due in part to an overload of the correctional system and the fact that the incarcerated population is aging. Many inmates face health issues that require careful monitoring, such as treating diabetes and HIV/AIDS. If you are incarcerated, it's imperative to make sure you receive adequate health care.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Medical records
• Computer with Internet access (if allowed)

1. Tell the prison physician of any pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes or asthma. If necessary, ask a family member to obtain your medical history records and have them mailed or faxed to the health services department of the correctional facility.
2. Alert the medical staff of any changes in your health by submitting a "sick call slip" to the chief corrections officer of your ward.
3. Inform the prison supervisor or warden in writing if a serious health care issue remains neglected, such as the provision of a special diet or timely insulin injections if you're diabetic.
4. Exercise your constitutional rights. If you feel your right to receive adequate health care while incarcerated has been violated, submit a grievance to the Department of Corrections.
5. File an appeal with the Department of Corrections if your grievance does not produce satisfactory results.
6. Contact the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) for help if these actions don't solve your problem (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• If you want information regarding your health care passed along to others, such as a spouse or family physician, be sure to complete and sign the appropriate release form (usually a DC4-711B).
• You are not eligible to receive Veteran Affairs health care benefits while incarcerated since the correctional facility has an obligation to provide all of your health care services.