August 2, 00
Dear Kay -
I've still had no luck getting started on my dental problem, even though after five months, I was able to raise the $69 and have pre-paid for my denture replacement. Isn't it unusual that I'm being made to pre-pay when any other inmate would just have a HOLD placed on his Inmate Account?
The reason I wrote was to send you a copy of this formal grievance I just files - I expect a reply in 20 days, and wanted to keep you up on the poor medical being provided. This is a copy I made today. Also, note the diet pass I sent. I have another copy.
I hope you have found a source in Rick Cotten. He lives in the same dorm as I, and I hope it was ok to give him your name & address.
Please take care. Thank you for being out there. :)
Howard
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONSREQUEST FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDY OR APPEAL
TO: Superintendent
FROM: Salmon, Howard NUMBER: 068691 INSTITUTION: Hamilton C.I.
PART A - INMATE GRIEVANCE
Upon arrival at this facility, I was placed on a puree diet by the senior dentist until I could pay $69.00 for a new upper denture plate. I previously filed a formal grievance with respect to the fact that food-service was not complying with the diet. Your response stated I was not attending the diet-Line - I was and have, and I continue to suffer physically with hunger and low blood-sugar (Hypoglycemia) because I cannot chew 90% of the items on the diet tray. I'm sure you may not be aware that food-service does not have a blender and cannot provide my diet. Although I have previously explained why I cannot swallow food whole (Irritated Bowel Syndrome), I have been doing this in an attempt to stay alive and not starve to death. As a result, I have been having alot of intestinal pain. Although I have been to medical, there is little they can do as long as I have to swallow my food whole. I have done everything I can to speed up dental. I have paid the $69.00 a couple of weeks ago, and cannot make them see me until they are ready. I do not receive enough funds to eat from the inmate canteen. I have injured my throat trying to swallow pieces of food. This facility has not been able to comply with my ordered medical therapy.
PART B - RESPONSE