Resistance Behind Bars: The Struggles of Incarcerated Women

A woman housed in solitary confinement at the maximum security prison for women in Muncy, PA, reports repeated instances of medical deprivation by prison authorities that have led to health complications and suffering.

Cheryl Baskerville reports from the Restricted Housing Unit at SCI Muncy that she has been needing a knee replacement since entering the prison over 5 years ago, but that this has been repeatedly postponed due to skipped appointments with outside physicians or through assurance from prison authorities that she would be released soon. During her last visit to a Rheumatologist, the specialist showed the officer escorting her x-rays of her knees and remarked that she should have been brought an year earlier. She describes her knees as "shot" and reports that she is in need of pain medication more effective than what's currently provided to her. She has also been denied wheelchair access on several occasions as prison medical staff and guards contend that she has no difficulty walking.

Between August and November she experienced several occasions of medical neglect and deprivation involving the denial of medication, which led to the need for higher dosages and loss of movement, as well as blood pressure readings that were low enough to cause her doctor concern. During a painful outbreak that was later diagnosed as cellulitis, she was denied access to medical care when the officer on duty refused to escort her to the infirmary.

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