Courtesy of Anne Lamb, NYC Jericho Movement sends out the following: Urgent Health Call Campaign for Political Prisoner Joy Powell and all Women housed at Bedford Hills Maximum Security Prison.
I visited Joy Powell #07G0632 at Bedford Hills on Saturday, July 22, 2023.
Anne Lamb’s report: In addition to the complete lack of air conditioning at the prison, which puts the lives of elder women and women with medical conditions at risk due to the intense heat, there is also an insect infestation on Joy’s unit (C113). Several pictures of bug bites that Joy has suffered from in recent weeks, taken on July 22, 2023, are below.Joy states that all of the women in her unit have been complaining about this infestation for the past three weeks and demanding that the prison bring in an exterminator. However, there has been no response from officials at the prison. The infestation and the bug bites continue to affect the health of all the women in Joy’s unit. Joy states that the prison doctor opines that these are possibly spider bites, and she has been receiving Benadryl to counteract the constant itching and burning from these bites. Joy is a diabetic and also suffers from various allergies, so I am very concerned about this ongoing situation.
Latest update from Joy Powell: “Another young lady on my unit was bitten on both of her legs, and her feet were so swollen that they had to get her interviewed by a Telemed Doctor, who prescribed her antibiotics and Benadryl. This bug epidemic in this Prison is out of control. And, only a small dose of Benadryl and nothing else is not at all helping my discomfort. My leg is swelling by my thigh, and the bites make the entire area where I’ve been bitten hurt, itch, and swell.
!!Help!!” Please call: – Acting NYS DOCCS Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III: (518) 457-8126-Governor Hochul: (518) 474-8390, Demand that a thorough fumigation of the entire unit be conducted as soon as possible, as the women continue to be bitten by these insects. In addition to the biting insects, there are also flying cockroaches in the shower and an infestation of mice throughout the prison. Our loved ones should not be held in these unsanitary conditions. The complete lack of air conditioning in the prison is also a serious health emergency as we experience unprecedented heat.
Thank you-Anne Lamb, NYC Jericho Movement.
Reach out directly to Joy through your written letters, Joy Powell #07G0532, Bedford Hills C.F., P.O. Box 1000, Bedford Hills, NY 10507-2499, or message her via email www.jpay.com