Ventura County Jail

Medications

Interview with Ford, Miss T and Reta


JM: Did you always have access to necessary medications?
Ford: I took no medication. Though an aspirin was impossible to come by.
Miss T: Yes. I was taking an antidepressant and Motrin for a back injury.
Reta: the medicine cart came by twice a day morning and night

JM: How did you get your medications?
Ford: I received no medication. The procedure was a general pill call or a visit to the cell by a nurse. Heard lots of complaints about the medication process
Miss T: A nurse dispensed medications in the morning and in the evening, through the slot in the door in the main room.
Reta: nurse through glass window with guard watching. be sure to stick out your tongue after swallowing so the guard can see you took your pill or you'll get yelled at. I felt like I was in kindergarten.

JM: What types of punishments were incurred for abuse of drugs?
Ford: Loss of good time. Additional charges and isolation.
Miss T: I don't know, but I assume it was loss of privileges or added time.
Reta: didn't see anyone get busted in there for that. usually the hole is the punishment for bad behavior-fighting, yelling, being rude to guards. the hole is a cell without light or windows.

I am to serve time at Ventura County Main Jail beginning in mid-January. I take many different pain management and nerve disorder medications for severe spinal injuries that I have. In the past when I had to serve time in County Jail I took other medications for asthma and nausea; however, I remember the large amount of drama and lengthy delay it caused just to receive those non-narcotic meds. My physician is willing to call and speak with the Jail doctor to try and inform them of my medical issues, and I have known of a few circumstances where the Jail makes exceptions on their "no narcotic policy" for inmates with well documented medical issues. I am not trying to import contraband into the jail for any illegal purpose, and I understand that any medication issued to me would have to take place during "pill-call" and that the bulk of my medication would be kept by the Jail staff so that I could not "self medicate". With that said.. how do I get the proper medical care and medication issued to me while in custody? I am afraid that when I remand myself that I will be denied my medications and thus suffer through the dibilatating pain I endure on a daily basis for the many months I must be incarcerated for. If anyone can.. Please help me.

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Jim
Thursday, December 11, 2008