Trenton
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‘Being in prison is the punishment. Depriving people of the medical treatment they need isn’t the solution.’
Trenton is a war veteran. As a result of his service he sustained a back injury, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety.
After leaving the army he was involved in a car accident and shattered his leg and ankle. ‘I have what is called a “broken union”, which means that my leg won’t heal,’ he told the Royal Commission.
Prior to being incarcerated Trenton used Panadeine Forte or Endone to manage his pain, and sedatives to manage his PTSD.
Trenton is unable to access these medications in prison, despite his GP and psychiatrist confirming them as necessary medications.
He put in a request to see a doctor but was told to see a nurse, who was unable to prescribe medication. It took ‘a long time’ to see a doctor.
‘I had to say the same thing over and over again about what I needed.’
The doctor suggested instead of taking Panadeine Forte, Trenton join the methadone program so he would have ongoing pain relief.
‘That seemed too extreme to me. I just need pain medication when I need it. I am happy to do exercise to try to manage the pain until it starts affecting my mental health. That’s when I need the medication.’
Trenton is aware there are prisoners who will ‘stand over’ other prisoners and steal their medication. ‘I know that’s what the prison is worried about.’
He suggests that ‘if they segregated the people who genuinely need the medication and gave them proper medical and psychology services it would be better’.
The doctor also refused to prescribe sedatives for Trenton’s PTSD.
When Trenton told prison officers he was feeling suicidal they transferred him to a different prison. He had to spend eight hours in the back of a van and when he arrived he was ‘all stooped over and in pain’.
At the new prison they made him wear a gown and no pants.
‘It’s not the way to treat people who are struggling … Now, I don’t tell them when I’m feeling suicidal because I don’t want them to send me there again.’
To avoid being transferred again he also has to be part of the work program. He does some cleaning, but the mopping aggravates his back pain.
Trenton was told he was scheduled to attend a pain clinic but it hasn’t happened. He was also told he would have an MRI scan of his back but he’s not sure when that will happen.
Trenton’s lawyer organised a new psychiatrist for him and Trenton lodged a request to see the psychiatrist, but he’s heard nothing.
‘I understand they have a budget but there needs to be compassion, particularly for people with physical disabilities or mental health problems.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.