Hunger Strike in Florida Continues - 7th day.

"The more violence and inmate on staff assaults they can statistically point to,
the stronger appear their arguments for their unending budget increases."~

 

July 7, 2004

 

Dear Marie,

 

I need you to notify Mom and everyone that I’ve been moved to the clinic.  They’ve taken all my property.  When I got my mail I got a stamp and 10 envelopes.

 

I tried to get ice from the nurse yesterday; they refused to give me any, knowing I’ve been throwing up water.  That’s the kind of compassion this medical has.  So I’m going without water now.

 

I tried to get them to send that priority letter out to Attorney Margaret Gold, but I don’t think they did.  It had a copy of the letter going to the Governor’s office about endangering my life with that fan.  And an authorization slip for her to represent me. 

 

I’ve got cramps in my muscles, very weak, and I need to close.

 

Sincerely, 

Ronnie

 

7/12/04 - "After I got Ronnie's letter earlier today, I called FSP, Medical, but Ms. Battles had left for the day.  We needed to know what was going on and how he was doing.

 

I talked to a man (unfortunately did not get his name, my cell phone lost the signal and when I called back there was no answer as it was 5 pm EST).  He asked me who I was, I told him my name, and that I was a friend. He stated he was not at liberty to give any information. I informed him that there was a letter on file, signed, dated and notarized, authoring Ronald Clark to provide information to his mother, Shirley Clark, and me, Jillian O'Brine.

I told him I'd received a ltr from Ronnie today dated 7/7/04, he stated he was in the clinic, was very sick and throwing up water, had tried to get ice chips from the nurse, which was refused, so he was going without water as he couldn't keep it down.  He'd stated he had muscle cramps and was very weak.  

 

He stated that Ms. Battles had left for the day and we would have to call back in the morning to get any information.  He did tell me that all the cells/units in the clinic in medical have a sink in them, so Ronnie would have access to water."

 

~Jillian O'Brine

INS Detention Standards on Hunger Strikes
http://www.ice.gov/graphics/about/organization/hunger.pdf

1.  POLICY: All facilities will follow accepted standards of care in the medical and administrative management of hunger-striking detainees. Facilities will do everything within their means to monitor and protect the health and welfare of a hunger-striking detainee, consistent with legal authority and standard medical and psychiatric practice. Facilities will make every effort to obtain the hunger striker’s informed consent for treatment, especially when the hunger strike is threatening his/her life or long-term health.

HUNGER STRIKES and PSYCHOLOGY

"These are not inmates complaining about not getting their magazines on time. They are living a very, very painful and potentially destructive existence..."
~ Craig Haney, psychology professor at UC Santa Cruz

FROM OSHA

Heat Stroke: This is a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention. It occurs when the body is unable to control its temperature. The body's temperature rises rapidly, sweating is diminished or absent, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature could rise to 106° F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Warning signs: Red, hot, dry skin Rapid, strong pulse Body temperature 105 F or higher Confusion (talking or acting) Throbbing headache Dizziness Feeling sick to your stomach Passed out or unconscious Heat Exhaustion: This is caused by loss of large amounts of fluid by sweating and sometimes with excessive loss of salt. People working and exercising in a hot environment are prone to heat exhaustion. Signs and Symptoms: Dizziness/light headed Weakness Heavy sweating Pale skin color Feeling sick to your stomach Vomiting (throwing up) Irritability Fainting Moist, clammy skin Heat Cramps: These usually occur after prolonged exposure to heat. It affects people who sweat a lot during strenuous activity. The body is depleted of salt and moisture. The decreased salt causes painful cramps in the abdomen and other muscles. Signs and Symptoms: Muscle pains or spasms, in abdomen, arms or legs Sick feeling in the stomach