Elain’s experience at FCI Waseca is a testament to the cruelty and negligence that defines this broken system. Exposed to dangerous drug use, denied critical medical care, and harassed by both incarcerated individuals and prison staff, the actions (or rather inaction) of FCI Waseca and its staff have violated her rights and endangered her life.
In January 2023, Ms. Elain entered a shared, enclosed bathroom, only to find the air thick with K2 smoke, an illegal and hazardous substance. This incident was not an anomaly but part of a pattern of unchecked drug use within the facility. For Ms. Elain, a COVID survivor with pre-existing heart, lung, and renal conditions, as well as a pre-diabetic diagnosis, this exposure has had dire consequences. Despite her repeated reports to her counselor and prison authorities, she was met with indifference and dismissed by an officer saying that their “hands were tied”. These people in positions of power, in law enforcement, in positions to protect every incarcerated person are choosing to turn a blind eye to undeniably illegal and harmful behavior. “The staff was fully aware of the drug issues at Waseca”, Ms. Elain wrote. “They did nothing to intervene.”
Taking matters into her own hands, Ms. Elain documented the prevalence of illegal substances and spoke to her attorney who involved the FBI. The prison staff disregarded her privacy and disclosed her visitation information to other incarcerated individuals. As a result, she was terrorized and ostracized; “I was stalked, threatened, bugs were put in my room, and a dealer was paid to put Suboxone in a cup I was drinking out of.” The staff’s actions have put her in tormenting danger, while her health continues to deteriorate.
The staff’s behavior makes us wonder if the staff are responsible for bringing the drugs into the prison themselves. There have been many documented instances nationwide of prison staff smuggling contraband into prisons for supplemental income. Whoever is responsible, the blame for contraband is always laid on incarcerated people, and it is people like Elain who bear the most serious consequences.
On July 14, 2024, Ms. Elain sought urgent medical attention during lunch hour because her heart rate was dropping and she was experiencing shortness of breath. Her pain was dismissed and told to wait for a sick call. Two days later, her condition worsened and she was brought in an ambulance due to a heart-related problem. Even during this critical moment, the transit officer bombarded her with invasive questions about her case, asking if she had seen online articles about herself and her case and discussing details of her personal life. Despite the medic’s attempt to redirect the conversation, the officer continues to badger with questions and comments, all while Ms. Elain lies in pain in the ambulance due to the prison’s neglect.
Ms. Elain’s experience at FCI Waseca reveals a system that dehumanizes and endangers the very people it is supposed to protect. We demand immediate accountability and justice. Join the Remedy Project today!
Elain’s experience at FCI Waseca is a testament to the cruelty and negligence that defines this broken system. Exposed to dangerous drug use, denied critical medical care, and harassed by both incarcerated individuals and prison staff, the actions (or rather inaction) of FCI Waseca and its staff have violated her rights and endangered her life.
In January 2023, Ms. Elain entered a shared, enclosed bathroom, only to find the air thick with K2 smoke, an illegal and hazardous substance. This incident was not an anomaly but part of a pattern of unchecked drug use within the facility. For Ms. Elain, a COVID survivor with pre-existing heart, lung, and renal conditions, as well as a pre-diabetic diagnosis, this exposure has had dire consequences. Despite her repeated reports to her counselor and prison authorities, she was met with indifference and dismissed by an officer saying that their “hands were tied”. These people in positions of power, in law enforcement, in positions to protect every incarcerated person are choosing to turn a blind eye to undeniably illegal and harmful behavior. “The staff was fully aware of the drug issues at Waseca”, Ms. Elain wrote. “They did nothing to intervene.”
Taking matters into her own hands, Ms. Elain documented the prevalence of illegal substances and spoke to her attorney who involved the FBI. The prison staff disregarded her privacy and disclosed her visitation information to other incarcerated individuals. As a result, she was terrorized and ostracized; “I was stalked, threatened, bugs were put in my room, and a dealer was paid to put Suboxone in a cup I was drinking out of.” The staff’s actions have put her in tormenting danger, while her health continues to deteriorate.
The staff’s behavior makes us wonder if the staff are responsible for bringing the drugs into the prison themselves. There have been many documented instances nationwide of prison staff smuggling contraband into prisons for supplemental income. Whoever is responsible, the blame for contraband is always laid on incarcerated people, and it is people like Elain who bear the most serious consequences.
On July 14, 2024, Ms. Elain sought urgent medical attention during lunch hour because her heart rate was dropping and she was experiencing shortness of breath. Her pain was dismissed and told to wait for a sick call. Two days later, her condition worsened and she was brought in an ambulance due to a heart-related problem. Even during this critical moment, the transit officer bombarded her with invasive questions about her case, asking if she had seen online articles about herself and her case and discussing details of her personal life. Despite the medic’s attempt to redirect the conversation, the officer continues to badger with questions and comments, all while Ms. Elain lies in pain in the ambulance due to the prison’s neglect.
Ms. Elain’s experience at FCI Waseca reveals a system that dehumanizes and endangers the very people it is supposed to protect. We demand immediate accountability and justice. Join the Remedy Project today!
