Jason L. Jackson, Staff Writer
San Quentin held its healthcare forum inside a packed chapel full of incarcerated residents. The forum was hosted by members of the medical department and the Peer Support team. Residents in attendance were eager to have some questions answered regarding the health department and recent development with the Board of Parole Hearings.
A highlight of the forum was the question-and-answer session between Peer Support Specialist Marcus Shepard and Parole Board Executive Officer Scott Wyckoff. Shepard had the opportunity to answer five questions submitted by residents at San Quentin. Questions covered topics ranging from suitability to the issue of false positives connected with the drug testing associated with Medication-Assisted Treatment, commonly known as the Suboxone program.
Regarding suitability, residents wanted to know if a rules violation within the last three years would automatically result in a parole denial.
Director Wyckoff stated that a rules violation would not automatically disqualify someone for parole eligibility, and that parole commissioners are better trained to deal with the context behind an infraction.
“The commissioners want to know what happened, and how does the violation relate to your controlling case factors?” said Wycoff.
Healthcare executive Shannon Garrigan opened the event with a statement that expressed the healthcare department’s desire to promote transparency, and informed the incarcerated population on what the healthcare team does.
“There are issues around healthcare that the population needs to be educated about, and we work with peer support specialist to accomplish that,” said Garrigan.
Monica D., a registered nurse at San Quentin, reiterated these points and provided beneficial information regarding medical appointments, data statistics, and the importance of receiving cancer screenings.
“The healthcare team is comprised of a team that works with all disciplines and departments in order to support healthcare staff and bring direct and timely healthcare service to the population,” said Monica.
Director Wyckoff also advised residents to be personal when composing their written statements to the board.
“Tell us how have you changed that brought you to prison, and how the classes you’ve taken have assisted in that change,” said Wyckoff.
Marcus Shepard expressed that he is glad the director decided to accept the invitation and believes the conversation “went well, even though there is more conversation that needs to be had.”
Shepard has worked with the Peer Support team for one year, and said Peer Support Specialists work hand in hand with medical staff as liaisons between the healthcare team and the incarcerated population.
“There are residents who know what the need from medical but are unable to explain their needs, and that is where Peer Support comes in,” said Shepard.
Shepard said the Peer Support team is looking forward to sponsoring a healthcare forum with the health department possibly every quarter, in an attempt to keep the population informed and included in their own treatment.