Robert Seth Hayes Needs Our Support!
I went to visit Robert Seth Hayes, one of our Prisoners of War, at
Sullivan CF today. Seth had hurt his left hand at the end of June, and
is having a very hard time getting medical attention for this problem.
As many of you know, Seth is a diabetic and has to receive insulin shots
daily. It is well known that injuries to the hands and feet of diabetics
are a serious medical problem.
Despite the fact that Seth’s left hand is still quite visibly swollen,
the medical staff has essentially been ignoring this problem. When Seth
first hurt his hand, he received x-rays. First, he was told that the
index and middle fingers were both broken. Then he was told that only
the index finger was broken. Afterwards, he was told that there was only
a hairline fracture of his middle finger, and that there is nothing
wrong with his index finger. The only medical attention he received was
the placement of a tongue depressor as a splint on the index finger
(without first aligning the finger in its proper position).
Seth has been in constant pain for more than a month and has never
actually seen the doctor for this injury, only the physician’s
assistant. I am a former medical emergency technician, and can certainly
say that Seth’s left index and middle fingers are both visibly swollen,
as well as the back of his hand. The middle finger is actually less
swollen than the index finger. The index finger is extremely swollen,
especially around the knuckle in the middle of the finger, indicating a
possible dislocation of the knuckle joint. Normally a dislocated knuckle
will heal on its own in a matter of days or weeks, but proper initial
treatment is critical to ensure that the knuckle heals correctly.
Failure to do so can result in medical complications and even disfigurement.
Seth is asking people to call and write the Superintendent at Sullivan
CF and Commissioner Brian Fischer to demand that he be taken to an
outside hospital for proper diagnosis and treatment. Don’t forget to say
you are writing and/or calling regarding Robert Seth Hayes #74-A-2280.
Patrick Griffin, Superintendent
Sullivan Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 116, 325 Riverside Drive
Fallsburg, NY 12733-0116
845-434-2080
Commissioner Brian Fischer
NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
Building 2
1220 Washington Ave
Albany, New York 12226-2050
518-457-8126
It is absolutely disgusting that one of our freedom fighters has to
endure more than a month of unnecessary pain due to the total lack of
quality medical care in the New York State Department of Corrections. It
is really urgent that we make phone calls and write letters to both the
Sullivan Superintendent and to Commissioner Fischer. Seth’s wife,
Sheila, has already called Albany several times and has been getting the
runaround from the Commissioner’s office.
Please take the time to write letters to both Superintendent Griffin and
Commissioner Fischer, as well as calling both of them. Please also let
us know what type of response you receive from them. Send us an email at
nycjericho@gmail.com
Thank you ahead of time for your assistance in helping Robert Seth Hayes
receive adequate medical care.
Anne Lamb, NYC Jericho Movement
nycjericho@gmail.com