Stories from Inside

Sherrie Chapman was incarcerated at the California Institution for Women (CIW). She first complained of painful breast lumps in 1991. She also told the prison doctor that there was a family history of breast cancer. In early 1993, she was finally given a mammogram. The radiologist noted the presence of "extremely dense breast parenchyma" and recommended a follow-up mammogram be done in one year. No follow-up was done until 1994, at which time the radiologist again noted, "dense breast parenchyma could easily obscure a mass mammographically." The prison doctor refused to order any biopsy, ultrasound or FNA. Instead, he adhered to his diagnosis of "fibrocystic breast disease." In July 1995, Sherrie was assigned to a different prison doctor who immediately ordered a biopsy which was performed on August 8, 1995. On August 23, 1995, Sherrie's right breast and four cancerous lymph nodes were removed. Sherrie continued to complain about pain and lumps in her left breast and on January 8, 1997, her left breast was removed. In August 2000, after complaining for several months about a painful lump in her neck, Sherrie learned that the lump was metastasized breast cancer. On December 12, 2002, Sherrie passed away still in custody after being denied parole by the Board of Prison Terms and denied a compassionate release from the California Department of Corrections.

return to top

Gloria Broxton served time at the Central California Women's Facility. In the fall of 1999, she was diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma, a cancer which originates in the inner lining of the uterus. For nearly a year leading up to an including the first several months of Gloria's incarceration, she experienced abnormal vaginal bleeding. She agreed to undergo a radical hysterectomy as a treatment strategy to fight the cancer. When she returned from the outside hospital that provides care to Chowchilla prisoners, guards dropped Gloria as they attempted to remove her from the transport vehicle. She fell nearly 3 feet onto the concrete causing the more than a hundred staple-sutures in her abdomen to rip open. Instead of being rushed to the on-sight prison infirmary for immediate treatment, the supervising RN on duty gave her a shot of Demerol and wheeled Gloria back to her housing unit on the main yard. Shortly thereafter, she developed an abscess that went untreated for two and half months and turned gangrenous. Additionally, the staples left from her operation, which were supposed to be removed ten days after the surgery, remained in her body for two and half months. Several of these sutures began to grow into her skin.

Following this procedure, the oncologist overseeing Gloria's care ordered that she immediately begin an eight month chemotherapy regimen. From August 1999 through at least July 2000, Gloria did not receive one successful chemotherapy dose. During this lapse, the cancer progressed to a more serious stage. The reason Gloria did not receive treatment is due in part to the medical staff's failure to properly administer the chemotherapeutic agent. In order to inject the cancer drug combination into Gloria's body, two shunts were inserted just beneath the surface of the skin above her breasts. Chemicals are then injected directly into these devices which help regulate the flow of chemotherapy into the body. On two occasions these devices ruptured because the needle was improperly inserted into the shunts. This caused the highly toxic chemotherapeutic agent to be injected directly into the surrounding fatty tissues above Gloria's breasts. As a result, two large abscesses formed. These were left untreated for months and lead to yet another surgery where doctors were forced to remove a large portion of the fatty area around Gloria's chest.

In August of 2000, Gloria was finally put back on a regular regimen of chemotherapy, however, the cancer has steadily progressed to a more serious stage during the year lapse in treatment and eventually became terminal. After a major legal and political battle, Gloria was granted a compassionate release from CCWF On March 9, 2001 - a victory few terminally ill prisoners enjoy.

return to top

Eva Vallario served time at CCWF. On December 15, 2001, she died in a holding cell in back of the visiting room after undergoing a strip-search following her visit. Eva had a history of asthma that appeared to have been poorly managed by prison medical staff. A report by outside investigators concluded that Eva apparently died after choking on her vomit, and that "there is a substantial likelihood that she could have been resuscitated if she had been ventilated earlier". Eva's sister, Misty Miller, testified at her sister's funeral about the loss to her and her family: " I feel that my sister has passed the most important test of all. She was born into a difficult life, with a fierce personality and a spirit full of fire. She took everything that was thrown at her with a strong heart and mind. My sister has always been my protector, my shield, my friend...it is my turn to be her protector. So, as I create my own shield and prepare to face this life without her, I let you all know that she will never be forgotten or disregarded... Do not forget her, because I never will."

return to top

Pamela Coffey served time at CCWF. In the early morning hours December 2, collapsed and died on the bathroom floor of her cell, about three hours after her cellmates had called for medical help for her. For several months prior to her death, Pamela had unsuccessfully sought treatment for a mass on her side. On the evening of her death, she complained of terrible abdominal pain and numbness in her legs; her tongue was so swollen she could barely speak and her abdomen was reportedly so swollen that she appeared nine months pregnant. According to eyewitness testimony, a Medical Technical Assistant (MTA) -- a guard with low-level medical training-- arrived on the scene but did not examine her. Rhonda Smith, who witnessed Pamela's death, told investigators:" When he [the MTA} came out of the room, he was laughing. He said ' I can't understand a word she's saying - you can do more for her than I can'. I was like, 'This isn't funny.'" Pamela's condition worsened; she lost control of her bowels and began vomiting blood. Her cellmates cleaned her up, and comforted her, and called desperately for help. The MTA was again summoned, and arrived about 30 minutes later. By then, Pamela was dead. Her body was left in the cell for over an hour, further traumatizing her cellmates, who had been forced to witness her death.

The medical investigators reviewing the circumstances surrounding Pamela's death concluded that "there were significant problems with Pamela's medical care that might have contributed to her death". The report notes that abnormal blood tests were not followed up in the days prior to her death, and one of the investigators determined that the MTA who examined her should have sought more help.

return to top

Charisse Shumate The following account is written by a former cellmate of Charisse Shumate.
This night, like so many others during my incarceration in cell #19, I am startled awake by the sound of sobbing. As my eyes adjust to the dim light, I see a crumpled figure leaning against the heavy steel door of our cell trying to summon one of the graveyard-shift guards. The knocking goes on with no response from outside. Soon, all eight women in our cell are awake and banging, yelling, screaming for help. Bitter experience has taught us that our roommate, Charisse Shumate, is in sickle-cell anemia crisis and needs immediate medical attention or she could die. Finally, a face appears at the door. She knows her life depends on convincing the guard that she needs immediate medical attention. "Is this just another convict scam?" he is probably wondering to himself. Summoning up what is left of her strength, she tells him she has medical protocol papers proving what she says. He says he is "not interested in reading them." He finally agrees to call the medical department to check out her story and much later help arrives.

Charisse is taken to the infirmary and locked in a holding cell while awaiting transportation to the outside local hospital - a process that can take hours. Charisse knows if she is locked away without water, for hydration, or medication, she may die. So, once again, she tries to explain to the infirmary personnel why she must have immediate medical help. At the hospital, it starts all over again. She has been taken to a hospital not experienced in treating sickle-cell patients and again, she must explain about her disease. All she can do now is pray she receives proper care.

This story would be sad enough were it only about Charisse. Unfortunately, it is a story very similar to the stories of many, many women with chronic diseases and illnesses now serving their sentences at CCWF. I pray for them all. Charisse Shumate passed away on August 4, 2001 after being denied a compassionate release.

return to top