The Lack of Medical Care

THE LACK OF MEDICAL CARE INSIDE THE U.S.
PRISON SYSTEMS 1
The lack of medical care inside the U.S. prison systems
Haylie Ramirez
Department of Criminal Justice, Salt Lake Community College
CJ 1330: Criminal Law
Dr. Anthony J. Nocella II
Week 9
The lack of medical care inside the US prison systems
2
Abstract
This paper delves into the harrowing realities of the United States prison system, a realm often hidden from
mainstream society yet rife with despair and neglect. Through a deeply personal interview with the author's recently
incarcerated uncle, Anthony, supplemented by insights gleaned from criminal justice coursework, the paper sheds
light on the dehumanizing conditions faced by inmates. Anthony's firsthand accounts reveal the inadequate medical
care, unsanitary living conditions, and pervasive hopelessness that permeate life behind bars. The paper also
confronts the systemic failures of law enforcement and prison authorities, highlighting their neglect in addressing
the physical and psychological needs of an aging prison population. Moreover, statistical data on inmate mortality
rates underscores the urgent need for reform within the prison system. Ultimately, the paper advocates for greater
awareness and active engagement in addressing these injustices, emphasizing the potential for positive change
through education and advocacy efforts.

3
Biography
Haylie Ramirez is currently a student at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) majoring in criminal justice. Her
career goal is to become a field technician or homicide detective. She was born in Wutzburg, Germany, but moved
to South Jordan, Utah at the age of four, because of her father's honorable discharge from the U.S. military. While
attending SLCC she volunteers with the community by giving socks, food, and all the necessities to people in need.
In her free time, Haylie enjoys taking her two dogs on walks and playing volleyball with a few of her friends twice a
week.
The lack of medical care inside the U.S. prison systems
Introduction
To begin this paper I will talk about a firsthand experience I was able to ask about to shed more light
on this situation and how it affects real people. I had the opportunity to do a sit-down conversation with my
uncle who was recently incarcerated and saw these issues firsthand. He was able to tell me about what it was
like being stuck inside of the dull gray walls, and how his life was about to drastically change
once he stepped through those heavy metal doors. Learning from him opened my eyes more,
even though I am a Criminal Justice major, this opened up more doors for me to learn about what
life can be like and how humans are treated like animals behind these walls.
One of the first questions I had for him was about his personal experiences with the
medical staff inside the jail, and what it was like for him during his time there. He told me that
there were healthcare providers for the facility, not the inmates, they were usually very short
with the inmates and were never much help at all inside the jail. They don't have the required
medical tools to be successful for the inmates that are in need of assistance and usually only
consist of a janky, small medical kit which can sometimes be a few months old and not sanitized
between different people.
I had asked if there was anything else he wanted to add to this paper, and he told me
about how the prison system is a place of no hope and nothing good ever comes out of it, in the
little time he was there, many people came and went, many were there for life, it is a cold and an
uncomfortable place for human beings to be, beds not comfortable and there were minimal
supplies to keep yourself clean and keep your space clean, it is unsanitary and the inmates are
responsible for cleaning their cell and keeping their “common” area clean.
5
Moving onto resources I was able to find to add to this paper, even though it was tough, I
managed to find about one or two, that showed me stats on the number of deaths inside jails. A
source from PubMed Central showed stats on the number of deaths between 2000 and 2019,
showing the mortality rate (per 1,000 inmates) to be 3,167 people who have died to illness while
incarcerated. Meaning that these people may have gotten no real help from medical staff or were
ignored while they were incarcerated. Yes, it could mean they did get help and ultimately died
from natural causes, but there are illnesses where you can get medicated for certain diseases to
get the help you need.
Going off of another source I have found talked about how prison systems have not been
prepared enough for their growing population since the rates for people over 45 years old has
more than doubled over the past three decades. According to prisonpolicy.org “ Mortality has
become an urgent issue in places like the Louisiana State Penitentiary (“Angola”), where the
average age is over 40 and the average sentence is longer than 90 years. With thousands of aging
adults facing the prospect of dying in prison in the coming years, how are prison systems
preparing to handle the increased physical and psychological needs of the graying prison
population? In short, they’re not preparing at all.”
Having encountered limited sources, I trust that upon reading this essay, it will show the
significance of acquainting oneself and others with the dynamics of our prison systems and their
operations. By educating oneself and actively contributing to the cause, one can effectively aid
real individuals grappling with these circumstances, thereby fostering positive change within our
society.
6
References
California Department of Aging. "Hospice Care." California Department of Aging.
https://www.aging.ca.gov/Care_Options/Hospice_Care/#:~:text=Formally%20speaking
%2C%20hospice%20care%20is,time%20as%20meaningful%20as%20possible
National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Understanding the dynamics of fear in severe
chronic illness." PMC
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10729313/
Prison Policy Initiative. "State of the Union: the prison system is killing us." Prison Policy
Initiative, 13 Feb. 2020
https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2020/02/13/prisondeaths/

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THE LACK OF MEDICAL CARE INSIDE THE U.S.

The lack of medical care inside the U.S. prison systems

Department of Criminal Justice, Salt Lake Community College

CJ 1330: Criminal Law

Dr. Anthony J. Nocella II

through education and advocacy efforts.

The lack of medical care inside the U.S. prison systems

between different people.

get the help you need.

population? In short, they’re not preparing at all.”

California Department of Aging. "Hospice Care." California Department of Aging.

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