Resistance Behind Bars: The Struggles of Incarcerated Women

Elyse Wilson, a prisoner at SCI Muncy, reports pain and frustration from two tears on her vagina that she received during an annual exam with DOC gynecologist Dr. Rodriguez. Wilson reports that Rodriguez "opened her vagina like someone would open a potato chip bag", triggering past experiences of rape and causing her to scream and tear up. Wilson requested the exam after problems with urination, which she suspected, meant a prolapsed bladder. After the exam, she experienced pain and bleeding and submitted a sick call to get antibiotic medication. She was met with resistance from Muncy medical staffer Dr. Gothwal, who told her "she shouldn't be washing down there", that "the vagina is a self cleansing organism", and that it was a nice "clean cut" that would heal in two to three days. Wilson spoke with the supervisor of the medical department and superintendent of the prison and was able to acquire some antibiotic ointment. Wilson states that women at Muncy are reluctant to get their annual exams at the prison, knowing of Dr. Rodriguez's roughness, and that this behavior is unacceptable and needs to be addressed. The Human Rights Coalition's FedUp! chapter is planning an investigation into the abuse and a Focus on Woman Campaign Action in response to Wilson's story.