May 20, 2004

 

 

Dear World,

 

“I have learned that, in order, to bring about change, one must take the first step, or else it will not be done,”  ROSA PARKS, Civil Rights Leader.

 

Officially, I was convicted of federal trespassing, a misdemeanor, not a “crime” worthy of prison time.  But, here I am all the same, trying to bear witness to the truth, while at the same time acting out as a disciple of God.  To paraphrase Henry David Thoreau; if someone knows in his or her heart that a social/governmental institution is doing wrong, he/she must battle the institution, not with guns and bombs, but with conscientious civil disobedience.  This of course was the same principle Gandhi studied, and later Dr. Martin Luther King, and multitudes of other moral, freedom seekers and activists have followed to date with great success.

 

Not only must I stand up against the School of Americas (SOA/WHISC), which is a murderous school, but I must speak out in defense of the good men locked up here in this Waseca institution.  There are many issues here in this federal prison, which needs to be addressed by the media, as well as Congress.  But, today I will focus in on only two.

 

First and foremost is the deplorable Healthcare Services an inmate receives from an inept and incompetent staff.  I am only one prisoner out of an over-crowed 1,100 men.  I’ve been here now for 47 days.  The pharmacy has made three mistakes with me alone.  Can you do the math on the likelihood of how many more mistakes or errors have occurred if three have just happened to me in only 47 days?  It’s astronomical times 1,100 inmates.  This proves a much more alarming trend that is going on here at FCI Waseca.  I fear, for legitimate reasons for my health and the health and welfare of the other “guinea pigs”, men living in this awful place.

 

On April 28th, I went to 7:00pm pill line to take my medications for my severe muscle condition and to help me sleep better.  Mr. Mead gave me someone else’s medications, telling me that the doctor changed my medications, which I thought was odd.  Later, Mead summoned me back down to medical to inform me of his “error”.  Staff had to monitor me throughout the night, because I could have died.  Never in my 40 years has any pharmacy made an error with my medications, but this staff has made three.  The next day, the pharmacy staff made a joke of it.  I was not laughing.  This is my healthcare we are talking about, it is very serious!

 

Next, Dr. Gray from the beginning has refused to give me three of my medications, which my multitude of doctors and specialists has prescribed for me for the last 15 years.  On May 12th, I saw Dr. Gray for the second time.  Now, I am having many muscle spasms and “Charley Horses” in my leg calf.  I have shooting and stabbing pain in my feet.  My neck and shoulders are extremely tight and sore, because, mainly I still am not sleeping through the night.  My body feels like it is falling apart, and some days I feel like a walking Zombie.  I have been offering up all my pain to my Higher Power for the sins of this healthcare staff.  I literally fear for my life!  So, I will continue to pray for them to be better humans.

 

Dr. Gray with the full power and authority of god (the federal government), said that he absolutely knows without a shadow of doubt, similar when President Bush said Saddam had weapons of mass destruction, that much of the medications I’ve been taking is “bad medicine practiced” by all my doctors and specialists.  They, my doctors are all wrong, but according to Dr. Gray, he is right.  Talk about an egotistic, immoral, god-complex Dr. Gray harbors and practices, like an evil “witch doctor”.

 

“You are argumentative Mr. Diehl,” stated Dr. Gray.  When I innocently would attempt to ask questions for better understanding and clarity, Dr. Gray automatically labeled me as argumentative, and refused to answer my questions.  He said, “I have to keep my job”.  He admitted that his job was more important than the proper healthcare of the patients (prisoners).  But, who does care about prisoners anyways?  Bush?  Kerry? Nader? No one?  The treatment of inmates in the USA is of extremely low priority.  Over 2.1 million convicts locked up in this country alone – the largest population in the entire world.  Something is desperately wrong with a sobering statistic like above.  It is shameful, disgraceful and immoral.  Where are all the “real” Christians in the USA?  Jesus specifically told us to care for the prisoners, the poor, and the least fortunate in the world.  Rather than putting words in Jesus’ mouth, that He might be against homosexuals and gay marriage, we as Christians should listen to what really came out of his mouth.  Care for the prisoners of this country and the world!  God help us, oh, not you Dr. Gray, but the real God!

 

As I was walking out of Dr. Gray’s office, he said, “you look 75% better than when I first saw you”.  Well, da, I had been denied all my medications for almost three days, even though I brought with me my medical records.  Of course, I was a basket case without any of my medications, even Dr. Wilson agreed with me on that assessment.  On April 8th, Dr. Gray saw me for the first time.  He said, and I quote the good doctor, “this prison is not the place to be with my health problems”.

 

Secondly, I am tired, tired of unfair and disrespectful treatment by the Bureau of Prison’s staff, who all act like cops first and foremost.  I am always troubled whenever I hear and see injustice.  I feel deeply that no human being, including inmates, should ever be treated unjustly.  I am concerned about any discrimination, of any people, period!  We are all God’s children and deserving of His/Her rewards and gifts.

 

Human dignity must be respected at all times.  We should not have to compromise our dignity just because we are prisoners.  We are not violent!!!  Everyday of my life, I have wanted to be treated with the utmost of respect, and I have wanted to treat others with respect.  I had hoped and expected others, like Waseca prison staff would feel the same, even now as a prisoner.  Money, cars, power and homes deserve no respect, respect is earned and judged by the respect people have for themselves and others.  We must respond to disrespect and violence by using the same words Jesus of Nazareth used on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”.  Due to my high ideals that I espouse, I feel very strongly when they are violated in the world and especially in this Waseca prison today.

 

 

With the utmost of respect,

 

Scott, #92093-020, Unit A

          FCI Waseca

          P.O. Box 1731

          Waseca, Minnesota 56093