We urgently need your help to protect disabled prisoners facing medical neglect and retaliation within the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC).
Disabled men in the infirmary at Miami Correctional Facility are being denied basic care. Their health conditions require Hoyer lifts for safe movement, but the facility’s lifts are broken or unavailable. As a result, they have been trapped in bed for weeks and are now developing preventable bed sores—a clear sign of dangerous neglect.
When these men raise complaints or ask when proper equipment will be provided, they face retaliation from guards and medical staff, who aim to silence them about their mistreatment.
This is a crisis of care and humanity. We stand with the impacted men and their families to demand the following:
- Immediately provide safe, functioning Hoyer lifts at Miami Correctional Facility.
- Grant medical clemency to any disabled prisoners whom IDOC cannot safely and humanely care for, so their families can provide proper care.
- Investigate and fire all staff who retaliate against prisoners for reporting medical neglect.
We are keeping specific names confidential to protect those at risk of further retaliation. By calling and emailing together, we can force IDOC to act.
Contact
Brian English, Warden, Miami Correctional Facility
Call: 765-689-8920 x5586
Email: benglish@idoc.in.gov
Dalton Haney, Assistant Director of Community Corrections
Call: 812-219-7193
Email: dhaney@idoc.in.gov
Phone script:
“Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am calling as a concerned citizen to report severe medical neglect and retaliation in the infirmary at Miami Correctional Facility.
I have been informed that disabled men there, who require Hoyer lifts for basic mobility, have been without functioning lifts for weeks. Because of this, they have been unable to leave their beds and are developing bed sores. This is inhumane and a violation of their rights.
Furthermore, these men face retaliation from staff when they complain about this neglect or ask for proper equipment.
I am demanding three things:
First, that functioning Hoyer lifts be provided immediately.
Second, that any disabled prisoners who cannot receive proper care from IDOC be granted medical clemency.
And third, that staff who retaliate against prisoners for speaking out be investigated and removed.
This is a matter of basic human dignity. Can you please direct me to the appropriate person to ensure these issues are addressed? I will be following up.”
(If they ask for specific names, you can say:)
“To protect these individuals from retaliation, I am not disclosing names at this time, but this is a known and ongoing situation in the Miami Correctional Facility infirmary. I expect IDOC to investigate thoroughly.”
Email template
Subject: URGENT: Medical Neglect & Retaliation Against Disabled Men at Miami Correctional Facility
To: [Relevant IDOC email addresses]
Dear [Commissioner Carter/IDOC Leadership/Ombudsman],
I am writing to demand immediate action to address severe and ongoing medical neglect and retaliation within the infirmary at Miami Correctional Facility.
Disabled men in the infirmary are being denied essential care. They require Hoyer lifts for safe transfers, but the facility’s lifts are non-functional. Due to this failure, these men have been confined to their beds for weeks and are developing bed sores—a preventable and dangerous condition that constitutes medical neglect.
When these men have raised complaints or inquired about proper equipment, they have faced retaliation from staff. This retaliation is intended to silence them about their own mistreatment.
This situation is unacceptable and violates constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment.
Therefore, I demand the following:
- The immediate provision of safe, functioning Hoyer lifts at Miami Correctional Facility.
- A review for medical clemency for any disabled prisoners whom IDOC cannot humanely and safely care for, allowing families to provide proper care.
- A full, transparent investigation into retaliatory staff conduct at the Miami Correctional Facility infirmary, resulting in the termination of those responsible.
I am keeping specific names confidential at this stage to protect vulnerable individuals from further retaliation, but I expect IDOC to identify and remedy this situation promptly. This is a known issue, and I will be monitoring the response closely.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your City, State]
[Your Phone Number – Optional]
Photo description: Three beds in a prison infirmary. Photo credit: Dennis Jarvis, Creative Commons