Micah Moquino’s human rights are being blatantly violated on numerous counts by USP Tucson and USP Terre Haute and its staff. On June 19th, 2024, after Mr. Moquino simply asked to be spoken to with respect, he was violently assaulted by four to five corrections officers (COs). They threw him to the ground, beat him with their fists and batons, broke his nose, and put a knee to his neck so he was unable to breathe. In a letter to the Remedy Project, Mr. Moquino wrote, “my human rights are being violated by these criminals in uniform.” Before the medical team arrived to assess his injuries, the COs cleaned him up to hide the damage they had caused. After this attack, he was put in solitary confinement, or the SHU, where he has been kept for 4 months. Mr. Moquino has not had access to medical assistance since the USP Tucson staff assaulted him. He has yet to be treated for the extreme physical damage inflicted upon him.
In August, while still being held in the SHU, Mr. Moquino was moved into another solitary cell with another incarcerated man that we will refer to as Mr. D. When he was transferred to this cell, knowing that Mr. Moquino was an ex-gang member, a staff member asked Mr. Moquino to assault Mr. D. With no desire to hurt anyone, Mr. Moquino refused. Since then, the staff have been mistreating Mr. Moquino because he would not follow their demands of assaulting his cellmate. Having been physically assaulted by the COs before, Mr. Moquino is afraid of what they might do to him now. Neither Mr. Moquino nor Mr. D has been given a chance to request a different cellmate or remain alone. Mr. Moquino requested administrative remedy forms to file a grievance about this but the officers denied his request, violating his right to administrative remedy.
Moreover, USP Tucson is failing to protect Mr. Moquino from threats and attacks by the active gang members being housed near him. After enduring persistent threats, and being “marked” by the California Mexican Mafia, Mr. Moquino fears for his life due to this gang's violent and deadly tendencies towards ex-gang members like himself. He requested to be moved to a different unit, but his request was denied. The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. It imposes that prison officials must ensure that people in prison receive “adequate medical care” and that they must take reasonable measures to guarantee prisoners’ safety. Mr. Moquino is being denied his constitutional rights!
Mr. Moquino is still suffering from the injuries the staff inflicted on him several months ago. Having already had severe nerve damage in his left arm from a previous gunshot wound, the tight restraints the staff kept him in during and after his assault have led to further nerve damage. Despite his right to daily medical care in the SHU, he has not seen one medical professional during his 4 months of isolation. The extreme mental and physical duress Mr. Moquino is under led to a mental breakdown that put Mr. Moquino on suicide watch. He needs to be protected, and granted immediate medical care for the injuries the staff of USP Tucson inflicted on him!
“I have remained calm and respectful since entering the SHU, but clearly kindness doesn’t get one far here. I am already behind bars, why must I be tortured and brutalized on top of this?”
Since The Remedy Project initiated administrative remedies for Mr. Moquino, he was transferred out of solitary confinement and to USP Terre Haute, where he is in less danger of violence from his former gang. However, he still is not receiving the medical care he needs.
What Mr. Moquino endured violates multiple human rights, policies, and procedures. Mr. Moquino’s medical neglect and unconstitutional treatment is unfortunately the story of many. His bravery to speak up and demand his rights be fulfilled is a reason for us to act. Help Mr. Moquino get the medical treatment he needs! ACT NOW!
Micah Moquino’s human rights are being blatantly violated on numerous counts by USP Tucson and USP Terre Haute and its staff. On June 19th, 2024, after Mr. Moquino simply asked to be spoken to with respect, he was violently assaulted by four to five corrections officers (COs). They threw him to the ground, beat him with their fists and batons, broke his nose, and put a knee to his neck so he was unable to breathe. In a letter to the Remedy Project, Mr. Moquino wrote, “my human rights are being violated by these criminals in uniform.” Before the medical team arrived to assess his injuries, the COs cleaned him up to hide the damage they had caused. After this attack, he was put in solitary confinement, or the SHU, where he has been kept for 4 months. Mr. Moquino has not had access to medical assistance since the USP Tucson staff assaulted him. He has yet to be treated for the extreme physical damage inflicted upon him.
In August, while still being held in the SHU, Mr. Moquino was moved into another solitary cell with another incarcerated man that we will refer to as Mr. D. When he was transferred to this cell, knowing that Mr. Moquino was an ex-gang member, a staff member asked Mr. Moquino to assault Mr. D. With no desire to hurt anyone, Mr. Moquino refused. Since then, the staff have been mistreating Mr. Moquino because he would not follow their demands of assaulting his cellmate. Having been physically assaulted by the COs before, Mr. Moquino is afraid of what they might do to him now. Neither Mr. Moquino nor Mr. D has been given a chance to request a different cellmate or remain alone. Mr. Moquino requested administrative remedy forms to file a grievance about this but the officers denied his request, violating his right to administrative remedy.
Moreover, USP Tucson is failing to protect Mr. Moquino from threats and attacks by the active gang members being housed near him. After enduring persistent threats, and being “marked” by the California Mexican Mafia, Mr. Moquino fears for his life due to this gang's violent and deadly tendencies towards ex-gang members like himself. He requested to be moved to a different unit, but his request was denied. The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. It imposes that prison officials must ensure that people in prison receive “adequate medical care” and that they must take reasonable measures to guarantee prisoners’ safety. Mr. Moquino is being denied his constitutional rights!
Mr. Moquino is still suffering from the injuries the staff inflicted on him several months ago. Having already had severe nerve damage in his left arm from a previous gunshot wound, the tight restraints the staff kept him in during and after his assault have led to further nerve damage. Despite his right to daily medical care in the SHU, he has not seen one medical professional during his 4 months of isolation. The extreme mental and physical duress Mr. Moquino is under led to a mental breakdown that put Mr. Moquino on suicide watch. He needs to be protected, and granted immediate medical care for the injuries the staff of USP Tucson inflicted on him!
“I have remained calm and respectful since entering the SHU, but clearly kindness doesn’t get one far here. I am already behind bars, why must I be tortured and brutalized on top of this?”
Since The Remedy Project initiated administrative remedies for Mr. Moquino, he was transferred out of solitary confinement and to USP Terre Haute, where he is in less danger of violence from his former gang. However, he still is not receiving the medical care he needs.
What Mr. Moquino endured violates multiple human rights, policies, and procedures. Mr. Moquino’s medical neglect and unconstitutional treatment is unfortunately the story of many. His bravery to speak up and demand his rights be fulfilled is a reason for us to act. Help Mr. Moquino get the medical treatment he needs! ACT NOW!
