A prisoner with diabetes   (November 15, 2008)

I recently received a question via e-mail. It's one of those sad situations where someone is asking for help, but one where fortunately there are resources to assist. So, I thought I'd share my response to the writer with you today. (I've changed the text of the e-mail slightly, to correct grammar and to maintain anonymity.)

"My husband is a diabetic and has been in the Federal prison system for ten months now and the jail he was in did not treat his problem properly and now it is worse."

I replied:

I'd suggest you read two webpages at the American Diabetes Association's website:

1) Diabetes Management in Correctional Institutions

and

2) Discrimination Based on Diabetes, where they state "If you are being discriminated against because of diabetes at work, at school, by the police or in correctional institutions, or in public places, you can request assistance from the American Diabetes Association by calling 1-800-DIABETES. A representative will send you helpful information and will send you a form to request help from one the Association's Legal Advocates."

Please call them and ask for advice.