Medical Neglect

Op-ed | California Promised Miguel Rivera a Root Canal. The Prison Gave Him a Choice: Lose the Tooth or Fight Back

By Casey OlsonJuly 14, 20260 comments

An inmate at Folsom State Prison, Miguel Rivera, was reportedly misinformed by a dental provider regarding the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) coverage for root canal procedures. This incident underscores persistent concerns regarding systemic medical neglect and the efficacy of the grievance resolution process within the state’s correctional facilities.

Katal Center Urges State Commission to Investigate Medical Neglect in New York Prisons

By Barbara KayJune 25, 20260 comments

Advocacy organizations have formally urged New York’s State Commission of Correction to implement immediate measures addressing a reported crisis of medical neglect and preventable deaths within state correctional facilities. This appeal follows a documented surge in mortality rates, with 77 deaths recorded in New York prisons by June 1, 2026, representing the highest figure for that period in six years. Critics assert the commission has demonstrably failed to fulfill its statutory oversight responsibilities.

Everyday Injustice Podcast Episode 332: Dr. Elizabeth Ostler Turns Family Tragedy into Theater and Advocacy

By David M. GreenwaldMay 26, 20260 comments

Dr. Elizabeth Ostler, founder of the Communal Theater Company, addressed the forthcoming theatrical production “SisterPlay,” a work directly informed by the custodial death of her sister, Lisa, at the Salt Lake County Jail. Ostler detailed the process of translating this personal experience into a dramatic narrative, emphasizing its role in public discourse regarding incarceration and medical neglect.

Report Exposes Skyrocketing ICE Solitary Confinement & Detainee Abuses

By Yeayoung VacMay 22, 20260 comments

Solitary Watch has reported instances of detainees with serious medical needs or suicidal ideation being placed in solitary confinement within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, rather than receiving appropriate medical or mental health care. The findings have prompted renewed scrutiny regarding the use of solitary confinement as a punitive or control mechanism, particularly in cases involving vulnerable individuals.