Investigation Called For In Death Of Transgender Prisoner

Another Death at Corcoran state prison:
Jennifer Lynn Sutton, Trangender Prisoner with HIV/hepatitis C

"I have full blown AIDS and can catch anything at any time. I don't belong in this institution where I can't get any help. We are treated like animals here and something should be done about it. I hope you can do something because I am dying and I'm suffering very much and my hands are tied and there is nothing I can do about it."

This statement was part of a larger article written by Jennifer (aka Jeffrey) Sutton, a transgender woman prisoner living with HIV and hepatitis C at Corcoran state prison in California back in 1998. Jennifer died early Friday morning, May 3, 2002, of kidney failure. She had tried to access sick call and was feeling ill for a couple of weeks. Corcoran staff did not even try to diagnose her failing kidneys or her rapid deterioration. Jennifer finally received attention when she collapsed on Thursday night and was rushed out to the hospital but it was too late to save her.

After our last visit with Jennifer in October 2001, the HIV/Hepatitis C in Prison Committee of California Prison Focus wrote to the warden and chief medical officer about her deteriorating condition. The return letter we received was typical of the lies consistently received from the Corcoran prison adminstration. We were assured that Jennifer was receiving excellent care.

I wonder if Warden George Galaza and Chief Physician Nandan Bhatt think Jennifer is still getting good care?

Jennifer was not the only prisoner receiving criminally negligent care at Corcoran. We have always maintained that Corcoran is a punishment prison not a medical care facilty (despite its sparkling new Acute Care Hospital).

Over the past six months, we have learned of two other prisoners living with HIV whose kidneys have failed at Corcoran prison. These two prisoners survived and are currently on kidney dialysis three times a week. We have heard many alarming reports about the state of medical neglect at Corcoran prison.

Last month, the only infectious disease doctor was fired. Now the prisoners in the Chronic Infectious Disease unit cannot even see a specialist for their condition.

The HIV/Hepatitis C in Prison Committee of California Prison Focus sent a letter to California Department of Corrections Director Ed Alameida demanding an immediate investigation into Jennifer's death and into the criminally negligent medical care faced by all prisoners with serious and life-threatening illnesses like HIV and hepatitis C. We ask you to send Director Alameida a letter today supporting our call for an independent investigation of Jennifer (Jeffrey) Sutton's death.

Feel free to send the letter below or write your own:



Date: __________________

Edward Alameida, Director
California Department of Corrections
P.O. Box 942883
Sacramento, CA 94283
Fax No. (916) 322-2877

Dear Director Alameida:

I have recently learned of the death of Jeffrey (Jennifer) Sutton, C-01736, a transgender prisoner with HIV and hepatitis C who died suddenly of kidney failure at California State Prison - Corcoran on May 3, 2002. Two other prisoners coinfected with HIV and hepatitis C have also suffered kidney failure at this prison since December 2001. I am very concerned about the care and treatment of prisoners with serious and life-threatening diseases like Jeffrey Sutton and demand that you immediately investigate this prisoner's medical treatment and death.

Corcoran prison is well-known around the country for its brutality against prisoners. Just a few years ago, prison guards were indicted for staging gladiator fights during which prisoners were shot and killed in the exercise yard. I am concerned that prisoners with HIV and hepatitis C will not be able to access adequate medical treatment at such a punishment prison as Corcoran.

If Corcoran cannot and will not give these prisoners the care that they need to survive, I urge you to immediately transfer these prisoners to a medical facility that will.

Sincerely,


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Signature


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Print Name

cc: HIV/Hepatitis C in Prison Committee
California Prison Focus
2940 16th Street, #307
San Francisco, CA 94103
Fax No. (510) 665-1935