SOY AND MEAT ALTERNATIVES

By Leah Owen-Oliner

From PHN Issue 56, Spring 2024

As special diets have become more mainstream in recent decades, so too have many prisons expanded their offerings. Although regional variation exists, as of September 2023, many state prisons and all 122 federal prisons in the United States offer a vegetarian option at each
meal. One of our PHN subscribers, Dale Wakefield, recently switched up his diet to receive the “alternative protein” tray; at his facility, these alternative options include non-meat proteins such as bean burgers, tofu burgers, and soy. He notes, “I feel a lot better physically and mentally since changing my diet, and maybe other people in prison might feel better as well if they did the same.”

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ASK PHN: WHAT ARE THE HARMS OF SPICE/K2?

By Olivia Duffield

From PHN Issue 56, Spring 2024

Dear Prison Health News,

I was reading an article in Prison Legal News about an individual who was smoking “roach killer.” Many of the symptoms were similar to those who smoke “spice.” My question is this: Can you do an article on “spice”? What it is and is not…
Sincerely,

Anonymous

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TO GRIEVE OR NOT TO GRIEVE

By Sensei Pitt

From PHN Issue 56, Spring 2024

20 Steps to the Courthouse

So you think you have been wronged by the system, a corrupt corrections officer, mistreatment by other prisoners, malpractice by medical, or denial of your religious rights, and you want to sue them. Now, what’s the first thing you need to do? Start with assembling your “Tool Box.” You will need to effectively record and litigate your issues. It will look like this:

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FIVE BASIC TIPS FOR GOOD HEALTH AND SKIN WHILE INCARCERATED

By Jamila Harris

From PHN Issue 56, Spring 2024

I know how difficult it is to maintain certain beauty standards as a woman incarcerated. I was once incarcerated and missed the certain regalness that came with the privileges of being a lady, such as pedicures and manicures, having a stylist do my hair, and seeing a dermatologist or esthetician for skin care. Who doesn’t miss a jazzercise or yoga session or an afternoon at a
massage parlor with close friends? Incarceration takes away many of these privileges. However, there are basic tips and best practices that can still be exercised anywhere for good health and skin. I am sharing some of these basic tips, and although we cannot buy nail polish, makeup, and most of our hair products from the commissary, these tips will still help to maintain the beauty
in you.

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COVID-19 Update: RISING CASES AND UPDATED VACCINES

By Lily HA
From PHN Issue 55, Winter 2024

As of October 2023, there has been another surge in COVID-19 cases. Since data reporting to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is more limited than it was earlier in the pandemic, it’s harder to know the size of the surge. Still, cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have all increased since summer. When possible, wearing a mask, keeping physical distance between yourself and others, and getting tested if you feel sick or are around someone else who tests positive continue to be good ways to protect yourself and others.

New variants of the coronavirus continue to arise, as experts have expected. There are currently multiple sub-variants of the Omicron variant going around. So far, these new variants and sub-variants seem to have similar symptoms to and cause similarly severe disease as previous variants, although they are more transmissible (easier to get and pass on to other people).

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Holistic Corner: HERBAL REMEDIES

Adapted by Hannah Calvelli
From PHN Issue 55, Winter 2024

A variety of herbs and plants may grow in prison courtyards. In preparation for Spring, we highlight a few of the holistic remedies featured in The Prisoner’s Herbal, a book by Nicole Rose. We acknowledge that not everyone may have access to courtyards, but we hope this information can be useful for some and interesting to many. Furthermore, while the herbs in this article may have medicinal properties, research and evidence on how well herbal medicines work is limited. We recommend that you speak with a medical professional to address any symptoms you are experiencing.

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Cancer Fighters and Survivors at SCI-HUNTINGDON

Submitted by John Blue
From PHN Issue 55, Winter 2024

“Remember What We Are Fighting For”

We, the brothers, cancer survivors at Huntingdon in Pennsylvania, along with some of the medical staff, have started a cancer support group. We meet a couple times each month to help each other fight this monster that has come into our lives.

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Scabies: THE ANTI-LOVE BUG

By Anonymous
From PHN Issue 54, Fall 2023

Scabies is sadly a fairly common occurrence in the crowded conditions of prisons. Prison officials will state cleanliness or hygiene, but transmission of scabies usually occurs through direct and prolonged skin-to-skin contact, as may occur among family members or sexual partners. Casual skin contact is unlikely to result in transmission.

Scabies is the infestation of the skin by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. Scabies infestations result in intense itching, most notably at night, with wavy and slightly scaly lines from 2 mm to 1.5 cm in length that end in dark bumps where the mite may be visible. Prisoners with dark skin tones may find it harder to detect scabies infestations. Burrows may not be easily visible if the individual has been scratching the area. Classically, scabies affects the spaces between fingers, flexural areas of the wrist or elbow, and folds of skin on the buttocks and beltline.

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Cancer Screening for Transgender and Gender-Diverse People

By Lily H-A
From PHN Issue 54, Fall 2023

The goal of cancer screening is to catch cancer early, when it is more treatable and curable. Some cancer screenings, like colonoscopies, are recommended for everybody once they reach a certain age. However, other types of screening, like prostate screening and mammograms, have traditionally been recommended based on gender assuming that this matches sex assigned at birth. The medical guidelines for cancer screening do not yet reflect the needs of trans people, and there is also limited data about trans people’s risks for various cancers and how gender-affirming care like hormones and surgeries may affect these risks. As a general rule, University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Transgender Care recommends that people get cancer screenings based on the body parts they have, regardless of gender or hormones.

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Ask PHN: Hippa in Prison

By Jamila Harris
From PHN Issue 54, Fall 2023

Dear PHN,
Could you explain the rules and violations of the HIPAA Act? Is it a violation if the correctional officer stays in the room while we are seeing medical staff and knows my medical information?

– L.W.

Dear L.W.,
When it comes to the rights of incarcerated individuals and the privacy of their medical information, a valid concern always comes to mind. “Do the correctional officers have the right to know your medical information?” A person who is incarcerated has certain legal rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, also known as HIPAA. This act is a federal law passed in 1996 that protects how medical information of individuals—including identifying factors such as address, birthdate, and social security number—is transferred and disclosed to others. Under the law, this identifiable health information is known as “protected health information.”

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