Carl Courtright first contacted The Remedy Project in March of 2023 after being denied the right to access the proper medication to treat his two long-term health problems: GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and chronic rhinitis. Because of the negligent, life-threatening, and unconstitutional treatment from the warden and medical staff at USP Terre Haute, Indiana, Mr. Courtright is in tremendous physical pain, and is suffering from unjust and cruel punishment.
Mr. Courtright has suffered from GERD since 2005. The GI Associates & Endoscopy Center explains that GERD is a curable disease that is commonly treated with medication. Since 2005, he has received a prescription for omeprazole: a medication that provides relief from GERD symptoms. Symptoms include heartburn which can worsen at night, pain in the upper abdominal and chest area, a sensation of a lump in the throat, regurgitation of food or sour liquid, and coughing.
However, during Mr. Courtright’s last chronic care visit to the medical doctor, he was directed to purchase pepcid, another less potent medication for GERD. His prescription for omeprazole was prevented on the grounds that Mr. Courtright is not an indigent individual. With pepcid, nevertheless, Mr. Courtright’s condition only worsened.
Mr. Courtright still suffers from constant burns in his throat and stomach, sore throats, acid reflux in his sinuses, pain in his abdomen and chest, and loose stools at least once a day. The constant pain has led to other health problems. He is experiencing inadequate sleep and mental health deterioration from being unable to carry out daily activities without extreme discomfort. The pepcid is ineffective for Mr. Courtright, providing no relief for his GERD symptoms.
In addition to the GERD, Mr. Courtright also suffers from perennial allergies, or chronic rhinitis. Due to his chronic rhinitis, he is particularly sensitive and allergic to many things such as dust, plant pollen, pets, and perfumes. Chronic rhinitis is not temporary—it affects Mr. Courtright year-round and he has been suffering from constant sneezing, stuffy, and/or a runny nose for most of his life. Yet, the FBOP refuses to provide medication, such as Allegra or Zyrtec, because they do not treat “seasonal allergies.” The FBOP is deliberately neglecting Mr. Courtright’s medical needs, refusing to acknowledge that there is a medical difference between “seasonal” and “chronic” conditions.
In its Handbook, the BOP claims that all incarcerated individuals have the right to health care: both medical and dental treatment. All individuals, regardless of whether they are indigent or not, should have access to the proper treatment for their medical problems.
Mr. Courtright’s story is an example of how the very people who are supposed to protect and treat incarcerated individuals continue to disregard their life-threatening needs. Having the correct medications and medical support to alleviate pain is a basic human right. Yet, the prison administrators have discriminated against Mr. Courtright because he is not in severe financial need—it is absolutely absurd that medical relief is only provided to those who meet financial requirements. The warden and medical staff at USP Terre Haute have failed Mr. Courtright through the subjection of unjust and cruel punishment by withholding the proper medication he needs to treat his GERD and chronic rhinitis.
The Remedy Project students will fight for Mr. Carl Courtright and for those who are wronged by the American prison system. Mr. Courtright is not the first, nor will he be the last, incarcerated individual to be subjected to this kind of inhumane treatment. We will continue to hold prison officials accountable, tell the stories of those oppressed in the American prison system, and take action to get incarcerated individuals the remedies they need.
Carl Courtright first contacted The Remedy Project in March of 2023 after being denied the right to access the proper medication to treat his two long-term health problems: GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and chronic rhinitis. Because of the negligent, life-threatening, and unconstitutional treatment from the warden and medical staff at USP Terre Haute, Indiana, Mr. Courtright is in tremendous physical pain, and is suffering from unjust and cruel punishment.
Mr. Courtright has suffered from GERD since 2005. The GI Associates & Endoscopy Center explains that GERD is a curable disease that is commonly treated with medication. Since 2005, he has received a prescription for omeprazole: a medication that provides relief from GERD symptoms. Symptoms include heartburn which can worsen at night, pain in the upper abdominal and chest area, a sensation of a lump in the throat, regurgitation of food or sour liquid, and coughing.
However, during Mr. Courtright’s last chronic care visit to the medical doctor, he was directed to purchase pepcid, another less potent medication for GERD. His prescription for omeprazole was prevented on the grounds that Mr. Courtright is not an indigent individual. With pepcid, nevertheless, Mr. Courtright’s condition only worsened.
Mr. Courtright still suffers from constant burns in his throat and stomach, sore throats, acid reflux in his sinuses, pain in his abdomen and chest, and loose stools at least once a day. The constant pain has led to other health problems. He is experiencing inadequate sleep and mental health deterioration from being unable to carry out daily activities without extreme discomfort. The pepcid is ineffective for Mr. Courtright, providing no relief for his GERD symptoms.
In addition to the GERD, Mr. Courtright also suffers from perennial allergies, or chronic rhinitis. Due to his chronic rhinitis, he is particularly sensitive and allergic to many things such as dust, plant pollen, pets, and perfumes. Chronic rhinitis is not temporary—it affects Mr. Courtright year-round and he has been suffering from constant sneezing, stuffy, and/or a runny nose for most of his life. Yet, the FBOP refuses to provide medication, such as Allegra or Zyrtec, because they do not treat “seasonal allergies.” The FBOP is deliberately neglecting Mr. Courtright’s medical needs, refusing to acknowledge that there is a medical difference between “seasonal” and “chronic” conditions.
In its Handbook, the BOP claims that all incarcerated individuals have the right to health care: both medical and dental treatment. All individuals, regardless of whether they are indigent or not, should have access to the proper treatment for their medical problems.
Mr. Courtright’s story is an example of how the very people who are supposed to protect and treat incarcerated individuals continue to disregard their life-threatening needs. Having the correct medications and medical support to alleviate pain is a basic human right. Yet, the prison administrators have discriminated against Mr. Courtright because he is not in severe financial need—it is absolutely absurd that medical relief is only provided to those who meet financial requirements. The warden and medical staff at USP Terre Haute have failed Mr. Courtright through the subjection of unjust and cruel punishment by withholding the proper medication he needs to treat his GERD and chronic rhinitis.
The Remedy Project students will fight for Mr. Carl Courtright and for those who are wronged by the American prison system. Mr. Courtright is not the first, nor will he be the last, incarcerated individual to be subjected to this kind of inhumane treatment. We will continue to hold prison officials accountable, tell the stories of those oppressed in the American prison system, and take action to get incarcerated individuals the remedies they need.
