Correctional Medical Care

For over two years, a mystery illness has made it hard for James Keown to walk, sit up and eat. Now he wonders if he has to die to be diagnosed.

A recent ride to a public clinic gave Jose Armendariz a quick break from jail. But he couldn’t escape the fear and judgement of the other patients.

“This is kind of like AA: To move forward, first you have to admit there’s a problem.”

This spring, a judge ruled that the healthcare at the Louisiana State Penitentiary violated prisoners’ Eighth Amendment rights. Lois Ratcliff tells the horrifying story of her son Farrell’s decline and death.

“There wasn’t enough ibuprofen in the world to combat the pain I was experiencing.”

An aging bank robber faces the end.