Prison Health Care

WHEREAS, for 94 years the NAACP has been fighting for civil rights; and

WHEREAS, state and federal correctional institutions in the United States have a constitutional obligation to adhere to the fundamental tenants of human rights with regards to the prison population by providing adequate health care and treatment services; and

WHEREAS, state and federal correctional institutions in the United States contract with health care providers to provide such said services; and

WHEREAS, the level of health care and health services provided are many times compromised by budget constraints irrespective of the needs of the prison population; and

WHEREAS, African Americans and other people of color, while incarcerated, suffer disproportionately from diseases, such as Hepatitis-C, Diabetes and kidney disease; and

WHEREAS, failure to adequately treat the aforementioned illnesses can result in severe development of these illnesses and potentially lead to death.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP investigate the health care treatment of African Americans and other people of color incarcerated within state and federal correctional institutions; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP advocate for sufficient and adequate health care services for all persons incarcerated within state and federal correctional institutions