It’s probably not in my best interest to use the exact name of a convicted-felon housed at the facility where I work, or to mention the specifics of his medical condition (we are not privy to that sort of information, unless spit on or bit); however, since it’s already been made public by none other than Prisoner Ivan Charles Hart himself (there, I said his name and not the six aliases on his rap sheet), I guess I’ll just blurt it out: HE HAS A FOOTBALL-SIZED ABDOMINAL HERNIA!
Now don’t get me wrong, if I were in Hart’s shoes and had the opportunity to use the Detroit Free Press as my healthcare advocate, I’d jump all over it. And even though Mr. Gerritt states that the Michigan Department of Corrections denied his request to photograph Hart’s stomach, guess what?—a non-credited picture somehow found its way into print. Again, if it were my hernia (heck, I had double-hernia surgery last spring) and if I had no way of paying for the surgery ($24,000 mesh screen to hold the organs in place), than I’d do whatever it takes to plead my case, including a smuggled photograph.
In the article, Dr. Jeffrey Stieve, MDOC’s chief medical officer says, “While it’s shocking to see because it’s so large, it’s a very safe hernia.” Also, he states that surgery would produce a risk of bowel adhesions (complications, I presume, from a colostomy bag on the other side of his stomach), but that if Prisoner Hart would like to pay for the surgery, healthcare would do it.
It isn’t until the end of Gerritt’s editorial that we learn the origin of Hart’s hernia: two abdominal surgeries (free of charge?) “for gun shot wounds he sustained in 2000 and 2008.” The colostomy bag came as a result of his 2008 gun shot wound. I’m fairly sure each surgery contributed in keeping Hart alive.
No where in Gerritt’s editorial does he mention Hart’s rap sheet. I’ll include it here:
October 20, 2000: Home Invasion (1st Degree).
March 7, 2008: Carrying a concealed weapon & Assault/Resisting a Police Officer.
May 18, 2008: Felony Firearms, Home Invasion (1st Degree) & Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.
So, my question to you: Should my employer perform the surgery? Or should they continue to monitor his health for future complications?
*Side note: Two coworkers sustained injuries this week from a highly assaultive prisoner. One suffered a face bite, and the other suffered a thumb bite. Hope you guys have a speedy recovery.
12 comments:
You always ask the easy questions, don't you!? Crap, it gives me a headache just thinking about this guy.
Send him to Snyder's house see if the governor will adopt him and pay for it. He has millions. Or let Gerritt hold fundraisers to pay for it. I don't want to pay for his self created problems. Of course the first won't go there and by this time tomorrow Gerritt will be on to the next bitch fest about how rotten we treat convicts.
I say no. When the rest of us have to pay taxes and take care of our own issues, why should this convicted felon enjoy the pleasures of 3 square meals and surgery for an injury that was literally self-inflicted. He's a boil on the butt of humanity ... we need to get rid of. Why can't we just exterminate people like him? Okay - yes that was mean but really?
Now now there C...! We need to heal this young man; how else will he be able to climb out of windows when he gets back to doing "Home Invasions"?
I'll bet Mr. Hart will have an easier time getting help with his health care issues than your co-workers. Their injuries are legit, but I'll bet they will have to jump through about a hundred hoops. I'm sure Dougie looked long and hard at the video to ensure the biter's rights were not violated. Best of luck to your hard working co-wordkers who deserve better than I'm sure they will get. Please tell Charlene and her/his boss to kiss my ass. Also tell the dirt man and Danny Glover I say hello. W.W.
It seems no one cares about holding anyone else accountable for their actions.
I was most unhappy to hear about my Milk Dud's injury. Yet, Gov. Spider is claiming we state workers are overpaid. Maybe Gerritt will be granted the privilege of being the commencement speaker again for this inciteful article.
Library Lady
I also would agree it will be easier for this inmate to get healthcare than it will be for the black and gray injured by him. Wishing them speedy recovery. Huck
Wow. I've been unemployed for over a year. I can't get free surgery. I've put into the system for over 30 years. I wonder how or if his victims have insurance to cover their basic needs or whether they have 3 square meals a day and can request name-brand drugs for every little ailment. I'm not entitled to anything...why are they???
"I saw something nasty in the woodshed!"
It's all bad. Avoid getting bitten, if possible.
uh oh! NOW I know what was that 'huge operation' that we used to hear about one of my aunt's sister, that 'would result in her never being able to marry'...
I don't know what to say... I wonder what a doctor would say to that question. I guess there could be several points of views...
There are numerous incidents of health care neglect in MDOC...even to the point of prisoners dying - ever hear of Timothy Souders? He was hardly a violent offender and died of dehydration due to being put in isolation for untreated mental illness. Not every prisoner is a violent offender, and most are poor before they go to prison, so are ill equipped to pay for that kind of healthcare while in prison.
How many rich people do you know in Michigan's prisons?
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