Mecklenburg County Jail

My 18yr old son Devon was arrested on 9/18 and is currently in the Central Jail medical pod. He was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes at age 13 and maintains his condition with an insulin pump. Type 1 Diabetes (Juvenile) is commonly misunderstood with Type 2. Type 1 is not curable an insulin dependant irreversible condition, where as Type 2 can be reversed by a restricted diet, insulin/medication and exercise. None the less, they are managed differently. I have struggled with the staff and director (Elaine Gravette) at the jail with simply getting the proper care. The things that have occurred are life threatening and I cant seem to get anyone's attention on the issue. I have offered to speak with them, send information from his doctor also Devon is very knowledgeable on how to treat himself. I understand he is not in a position to be heard, however he is my child and still deserves the right to appropriate medical care. We tried to talk to the Judge at his bond hearing and explain our concerns, however he did not share the same concern and we were not able to bond him out.

Since his arrest; he has lost over 15lbs, left without insulin for over 6hrs, restricted food items in the commissary, given a special diet for meals, less than 1/2 the food portions at meal time, attempts to give him different insulin on many occasions that could result in severe consequences. All of this is appropriate for a Type 2, not a type 1....again managed differently. This is unacceptable and dangerous and all I am asking is you accommodate the needs of his condition. I personally take his pump supplies to the jail weekly to ensure he is supplied. Otherwise he just needs regular meals and food choices, supplied insulin for his pump every three days. No other special arrangements are necessary. By denying him these things, his life is being put in jeopardy. Going with out insulin alone for 6 hours will escalate his blood sugar to dangerously high levels. On another occasion, Devon was sent to the infirmary with high blood and sat in a room for 3hrs with no water or any medical attention. When high levels occur, keeping hydrated with water will help bring blood sugar down to a safe level.

When someone is sick or ill we either seek the knowledge of a doctor, hospital or sometimes a pharmacits. Many illness are contacious it doesn't cost a whole lot more to provide proper medical attention to inmates.Food stamps, medicaid and money is being given out on a monthly basic to women with children and men who can get off they LAZY bucks and go find a JOB, many women work the system because they're allow too and then they're some who can't get a dime due to the fact they have gone a penny over the budget. The system sucks and we as human beings will pay for all this nonsense one day. Inmates are people too if they're sick a little medical attention at the cost of the goverment is not going to hurt, money is being misused within the system everyday why can't the inmates be treated fairly no matter the crime we are still all GOD'S people.