“Unless You're a Self-Advocate, You Fall Through the Cracks.”
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ONE TIME ONLY: FALL 2015/WINTER 2016 Stories, information and fact sheets for health and wellness PLUS 12 PAGES OF RESOURCES— FROM BOOKS TO PEN PALS ALL FOR PEOPLE IN PRISON “Unless you’re a self-advocate, you fall through the cracks.” p. 14, Feature story Kerry Thomas, incarcerated in Idaho IIIIIIIIIIIfrom the Publisher IIIIIIIIIIIfrom the EDITORS ’ve been living with HIV since before the virus was discovered. Back then, Dear Reader, people were afraid to touch us, funeral homes wouldn’t accept the bodies of our dead, families wouldn’t let their children in the door, or served us A One-Time Only Publication TURN IT UP! is for people in prison, and many of the I for Incarcerated People food on disposable plates. The word “stigma” barely conveys how that felt. Single issue: Fall 2015/Winter 2016 people who created TURN IT UP! have served time Fighting for our lives, we demanded dignity. We organized for our behind the walls, fighting to stay healthy despite the right to participate in our own medical care and in the decisions and poli- Laura Whitehorn and Suzy Subways, Editors-in-Chief many obstacles prison presents. We have experienced cies that would profoundly affect our lives. In June 1983, a group of people Cindy Stine, Project Manager discrimination (from eye-rolling, to being denied hous- with AIDS wrote the Denver Principles: Andrea Piccolo, Art Director ing, jobs, and other basic human rights) because of our Susie Day, Copy Editor “We condemn attempts to label us as ‘victims,’ a term which implies Cover art by Corina Dross prison records, race, HIV status, sexuality or gender. defeat,” they wrote. “And we are only occasionally ‘patients,’ a term which None of these things affect our humanity, but they do Advisory Board: implies passivity, helplessness, and dependence upon the care of others. Tré Alexander, Philadelphia FIGHT at times affect how we are treated by people who might We are ‘People With AIDS’”—and, since the discovery of the virus, People Matthew Ebert themselves lack some humanity. (At right is a photo of Living with HIV (PLHIV). Akil Salter, Osborne Association Reed Vreeland, Housing Works some of us meeting to plan the magazine last Septem- We have had some tremendous successes, most notably the develop- Jennifer Morton, POZ ber. The list of articles we came up with at that meeting ment of effective treatments that make it possible to live a normal lifespan Naseem Bazargan & Elisabeth Long, would fill an encyclopedia, so we had to whittle it down Prison Health News (l to r) Cindy Stine, Reed Vreeland, Laura Whitehorn, Sean Strub, with HIV—assuming access to healthcare. But stigma persists, especially for to what you see in the magazine you are holding.) Tré Alexander, Akil Salter (Suzy Subways took the photo) incarcerated PLHIV and millions of other people behind bars. Published by Sero Project, Inc. Tami Haught TURN IT UP! is meant to help you protect your The Sero Project works to counter one extreme example of that preju- Kenneth Pinkela own health and welfare—whether that’s an idea about We hope you feel, through the words on these dice: criminal laws designed only for PLHIV. We connect with people incar- Cindy Stine how to eat or exercise, or a way to improve your medi- pages, our support, respect and friendship. Those things Sean Strub cerated under these misguided and dangerous laws, people like the man on Robert Suttle cal treatment. You will find basic information on HIV, helped some of us to feel powerful and dignified during the cover, Kerry Thomas. Their strength and example inspired us to publish hepatitis C and other health conditions, suggestions from our years in prison, even though prison seemed de- in association with Prison Health News TURN IT UP! to support incarcerated people who face the challenge of fight.org/programs-and-services/ other incarcerated people about things they do to stay signed to rob us of those feelings. The incarcerated and staying strong inside, whether they’re living with HIV or any other health prison-health-news strong inside, and addresses to write to for many kinds formerly incarcerated people, as well as some of our condition. Access to care is one way to stay strong; connection with others Thanks to these wonderful backers: of information and help. We know conditions and rules strongest allies, whose voices fill these pages inspire all and self-empowerment are two more. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS vary widely from one prison to another, and we tried to of us—on the outside as well as behind bars—to TURN H. van Ameringen Foundation Below you will find the Incarcerated People’s Health Bill of Rights, which Elton John AIDS Foundation provide the most universal information we could find. IT UP! together for our health and the health of our takes the Denver Principles’ legacy one step further. TURN IT UP! is our AND But some things may not apply in the system or facil- families and communities. Brent Adams William R. Martin response to this urgent call for dignity. Joan Lobis Brown Daniel L. Meyers ity you are in—especially in immigration detention or —Laura Whitehorn and Suzy Subways, —Sean Strub, Executive Director, Sero Project; founder, POZ magazine Diana Block Marion Minton jails—and we realize that can make things hard. Editors-in-Chief Margaret Cerullo Michael Mitchell Lincoln Cushing Prison Radio The Fortune Society Eve Rosahn INCARCERATED PEOPLE’S Jim Fouratt Susan Rosenberg Camilo Godoy Gilbey Strub IIIIIIIIIIICONTENTS FEATURES Irish Queers NYC Missi Strub TAKE CARE “I Was Able to Address Me, But How HEALTH BILL OF RIGHTS Naomi Jaffe Max Westerman Created by men behind the walls Rob Lake Dennison Williams Starting a Support Group 2 Do I Help Us?” 14 at Sing Sing and Green Haven prisons in New York. Joani Marinoff Barbara Zeller Compassionate Companions 2 1. Ensure the use of gloves by care providers, including when Special thanks to writers and supporters Chow Time 3 “We Don’t Have to Wait for Other People dispensing medication. behind bars, including: A Disease, Not a Crime 4 to Treat Us Better” 18 Anthony Tafoya Joshua Shuck Solitary Strategy 4 2. Prompt responses for medical emergencies. Blake McGrath Kenneth Key Brian Carmichael L. Shayne Tabor Breathe, Stretch, Stay Strong 5 RESOURCES Staff to maintain confidentiality, limiting access to medical files and Corey Crawford Larry Van Schaick 3. HIV Education 6 Resource Guide 21-29, 32 requiring officers to stand away from exam rooms. David Bailey Lisa Brelsford Gary Brooks Lisa Strawn Vitamins and Supplements 7 James Docker Mark Jarosik 4. Clinicians to keep instruments sterile and inside packaging until in Bringing Down the Pressure 7 TAKE IT HOME 30-31 Jason Thomas Michael front of patient. Jeremy Gillis Monroe MacRae Marshall “Eddie” Conway and 5. Clinicians to notify patients of the medications being prescribed. Jesse Washington Natalie DeMola 8 Hepatitis C Basics Misty Rojo take advocacy John Cookman Robert Auker 6. Presence of emergency alarms in porter cells for quick responses to John Hernandez Steve Passamante 9 Hep C Treatments from prison to the street medical emergencies. David Lee Terrance White 10 HIV Basics; PEP and PrEP Jane Dorotik Tim Hinkhouse PLUS: 7. AED devices accessible in program areas and dormitory areas. John Orr Vinicio Jesus Garcia 11 Diabetes Basics Prep Time: “What I Did (or Wish I’d Done) Jonathan Vernier 11 HIV Crimes? Know the Facts We would add: to Prepare for Release” 12 Exercise: The Inside Track For single or bulk copies of the one-time 8. Consider people patients, not “offenders,” and treat us as you would publication, Turn It Up!: 12 Trans Health Basics HOW TO treat your patients in the free world. The Sero Project 13 The Power of Our Unity Get Your Meds 32 P.O. Box 1233; Milford, PA 18337 With thanks to Akil Salter of the Osborne Association. [email protected] 13 To Save a Life Acupressure Chart back cover FALL 2015/WINTER 2016 TURN IT UP! | 1 IIIIIIIIIIITAKE CARE IIIIIIIIIIITAKE CARE Starting a Support Group Chow Time andling health prob- the chapel. In three other iven the limitations of prison lems or other chal- prisons where I did time, diets—and how addictive Hlenges behind bars the psychology depart- Gjunk food is—it’s tough can feel lonely and con- ment and education staff (sometimes impossible) to fusing. And seeing other provided legitimacy. We eat healthfully. Still, these people’s needs go unmet presented our plan to those guidelines may help: can make you feel power- departments, and they ne- less. Support groups allow gotiated with the warden NUTRITIOUS CHOICES, you to figure out together so we could meet, educate how to deal with shared one another, and put on if available (mess hall, com- concerns. Here are some programs for the rest of missary, or food packages): things I learned during my the prison. (Can’t get per- Vegetables years in prison about how mission? You may need to • (especially to start a support group. wait for changes in admin- green leafies) and fresh fruits Garlic • You may want to skip seconds on 1) Find at least one istration, while supporting are rich in vitamins, minerals and • (best crushed) and onions deep-fried chicken or fish, French or two other people you each other and sharing fiber. Fresh fruit beats juice—it con- are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Curry powder fries, margarine, and potato or trust, and talk about your education one-on-one.) tains fiber without added sugar. • contains turmeric, Sweet potatoes corn chips—they contain harmful goals—what you’d like to 3) Be clear on what it • are highly nutri- which may help fight inflammation “trans” (or “hydrogenated”) fat.