Get into a pre-trial detention center and die: seriously ill prisoners are no longer hospitalized

The problem is the lack of contracts.

In Moscow pre-trial detention centers in their cells, in front of the shocked neighbors-detainees, two young Cubans die of oncology. They were denied diagnostics and treatment in civilian specialized hospitals due to … the lack of a medical policy.

This year has already broken all records for the mortality of Moscow prisoners from diseases: almost 30 people died. And continues to collect the most terrible deadly harvest. Seriously ill prisoners were no longer taken to medical facilities. At first, such assistance was denied to foreigners, because they do not have medical policies. But now, it seems, the policy no longer saves: hospitalization is denied even to Russians who have all the documents in their hands.

The last time I saw the Cuban Figuerua in the Matrosskaya Tishina cell was in September (I was a member of the PMC of Moscow). Quite young – he just turned 23 in September, but he looks no more than 16 at all. There is a huge ugly bump on his neck. The inmates say that she is growing before their eyes, and they are horrified that none of the prison doctors are doing anything. The Cuban quietly explained to the employee who came to the cell – the only one in the UFSIN who knows Spanish perfectly – that his uncle died from exactly such a lump and that it was a hereditary disease. He very touchingly asked to help him. He said that his father (he seems to live in the USA) could pay for the treatment, but how to contact him and in general how to make this very payment? The Cuban does not even have the opportunity to call home – such calls in a foreign language are prohibited. And how to transfer money from the United States to the account of a Cuban in a pre-trial detention center, taking into account all the existing sanctions? And before, it was not clear how to do it: after all, a relative must first come to the Federal Penitentiary Service and conclude an agreement.

Throughout October, I tugged at the employees of the Federal Penitentiary Service with one question – when will Figuerua be operated on? They promised, promised, promised… They even took him to the hospital, did all the research, said – bring him to the operation, agreed on a day, and then… refused!

– And it is obvious that everything rests on the absence of a policy, – says one of the doctors of Matrosskaya Tishina. – We don’t know what to do. He dies in front of everyone.

Another Cuban, 38-year-old Keher, is in pre-trial detention center No. 3 Presnya. Sitting – it is said loudly: he almost does not get up from the iron planks. She has not gone for an hour-long walk, she can barely hobble to the toilet. He is suspected of having lymphoma. Prison medics say among themselves that if nothing is done, Koeher is “covered”. But absolutely nothing is done, and all for the same reason – there is no medical policy.

It turns out that all foreigners now cannot count on medical care in specialized hospitals due to the lack of a policy. In any case, it will not be possible to make it quickly. And will it save?

Doctors admit that since October, hospitals have generally refused to accept prisoners, citing the lack of agreements between them and the Federal Penitentiary Service. On this basis, several female prisoners with uterine fibroids from SIZO No. 6, a prisoner with suspected prostate cancer from SIZO No. 4, and many, many others were not admitted to clinics.

Why wasn’t the contract concluded on time? I have not been able to answer this question personally. But it seems that the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia simply does not allocate money for this. Funds are allocated by general wiring: for medicines, and for quotas for tests, and for operations. And taking into account that this year the funds came in half as much as last year (and last year they took free of charge for planned operations and consultations of SIZO patients), the conclusion is not at all comforting.

I ask you to consider this publication as an official appeal to the director of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia A.A. Gostev.