Mold, Staph Infections, broken utilities at OSP

[carolinem]

FROM OTSE

Mold, Staph Infections and Broken Utilities at the Ohio State Penitentiary

by R. Reed, Prisonersolidarity. org
January 1, 2007

Greetings to Kunta Kenyatta. I have been reading a lot about you and all the strides you've made. Keep it up and keep helping, a loud voice is powerful. We need voices that they can't cover up.

I, and the other inmates here at the Ohio State Penitentiary, have been trying to contact someone to come in and conduct a report on our living conditions. They are really poor. For a newer prison, it is bad. It's worse than Pickaway's old units. I have tried to address this within the grievance process, but it's just been spun around for more than a year. Please call the federal health department or send me an address. They need to take
samples of this mold in our cells, and we need other areas addressed. A lot of sickness and staph is showing up here now!

I wrote the Ohio Justice and Policy Center. They know, but we need some outside authorities to look at these inhumane conditions. I have made a list of some of the issues, off the top of my head. I appreciate your time and promise that when I'm released I will share my voice and give back for all
the help I receive. I have 10 months left on a 6 year sentence, so it's almost over. But many more need help because things have taken a downhill slide since my incarceration. The thing that's crazy is that this place covers everything up, and won't do anything to help offenders. They know how to neglect basic human needs and abuse people, but that's about it. I hope
you can help. Thanks brother.

Bathroom
- Sinks leak and backed up
- Urinals backed up
- Toilets leak profusely
- Exhaust fan broken
- Floor is constantly wet and slippery
- Condensation
- Unreasonably dirty
- Black mold spreading fast
- Shower wall leaks into East living area

Dorm
- West side unreasonably cold
- Window won't stay up(west window)
- 200 & 300 rows cable doesn't work(west side)
- No drinking fountain in West dorm
- Fountain broken in East dorm

Laundry Room
- Not all washers work(3 out of 4 work)
- 2 dryers work of 4, the other 2 need electrical work
- Holes in wall leading to outside

West Day Room
- Not enough tables
- Not enough chairs
- Many chairs broken

East Day Room
- Many parts of weight machine broken, for example:
* sit-up bench broken
* cables snapped
* parts missing
- ice situation unsanitary

Inmates are braking out with staph infections and the medical staff is not helping them. Please call the Health Department for us, somebody who can get somebody here ASAP and see how bad it is. I'm taking care of the other problems.

In God's Speed,
R. Reed

R. Reed #424-893
Ohio State Penitentiary
878 Coitsville-Hubbard Rd.
Youngstown OH 44505

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An Opportunity for Activism

Would you like to write a letter to the Ohio Department of Health?
Here is the contact information:

(this office handles: Food, Mold, Sewage, Private Water Systems)
* Bureau of Environmental Health
Ohio Department of Health
246 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
E-mail: [e-mail]. gov
Telephone: [phone]

* J. Nick Baird, M.D.
Director, Ohio Department of Health
Ohio Department of Health
246 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
E-mail: Director@odh. ohio.gov

(this office handles: Rules and Regulations)
* Tamara Malkoff, General Counsel
Ohio Department of Health
246 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
E-mail: Tamara.Malkoff@ odh.ohio. gov

You may also write to the Ohio Justice adn Policy Center:

Ohio Justice & Policy Center
617 Vine Street
Suite 1309
Cincinnati, OH 45202-2416
E-mail: contact@ohiojpc. org
Telephone: [phone]

Or tell the Ohio State Penitentiary warden what you think:

Marc C. Houk, Warden
Ohio State Penitentiary
878 Coitsville-Hubbard Road
Youngstown, Ohio 44505
[phone]