Political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal is suffering in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections after several days in the intensive care unit of the Schukylkill Medical Center. During this period of time, his family members and loved ones were either granted very limited time seeing him or denied altogether, according to records. Furthermore, Mumia’s health is deteriorating and the medical facility is seemingly unable to improve his condition nor will the Department of Corrections move him into a hospital equipped to care for him properly.
The Campaign to Bring Mumia Home is demanding that Mumia be removed from his conditions rooted in a “compassion release.” While it is not often used, it is used. For example, in 2013, Amnesty International managed to get 71-year-old Herman Wallace released because he had advanced liver cancer. Organizers are asking that supporters go to BringMumiaHome.com for more information and rolling updates.
Mumia was convicted of killing Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981, but the former Black Panther has steadfastly maintained his innocence. Based on the facts of the case, his sentence was even reduced from death to life in prison. He and others have repeatedly appealed his conviction on the grounds he did not receive a fair trial and continue to demand his release on those grounds.
Below is an account of Mumia Abu-Jamal’s situation has it has played out this week:
Mumia was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Schukylkill Medical Center Monday morning after losing consciousness due diabetic shock (with a blood sugar level of 779 and a sodium level of 160). After 20hrs of vigil his wife Wadiya and his brother Keith Cook were given 30 minutes each to see him. Pam Africa, listed on Mumia’s medical records as his emergency medical contact was also denied a visit.
On Wednesday Bill Cook (Mumia’s youngest brother) and Jamal Hart (Mumia’s oldest son) visited him. Mumia’s condition was distressing. Jamal Hart left the room after 10 minutes, distressed that his father was in pain. Bill Cook reports that Mumia was very ill. He had labored breathing, was in pain, thirsty, and he was shaking. He also had difficulty getting out of bed. He was chained with one hand to the rail. Except for the two short visits on Monday and Tuesday, he was without any family contact. He was denied all other visits including legal visits.
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections created an arbitrary and capricious rule on Wednesday, announcing that immediate family members would only be permitted to visit once a week. This means that Mumia’s wife, brothers, and son will be prevented from returning to visit until next week. Given that everyone else – lawyers included – are banned from visiting. Unless we organize to change it- Mumia will have no visitors.
Today, Thursday, April 2nd, Mumia was transferred from the hospital back to the prison because the hospital said it does not have any diabetic specialists.
Mumia is not well and has not recovered. In fact his condition is deteriorating and as Dr. Johanna Fernandez who first reported Mumia’s illness has expressed, “The house is burning.”
On Friday, April 3rd, the Campaign to Bring Mumia Home is asking supporters to organize caravans to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections to arrive at 11am. For those unable to come to PA, the campaign encourages supporters to put forth their own demands and to air their grievances concerning prison conditions and prisoner health care at their local Attorney General’s Office.
For more information and latest updates on Mumia Abu-Jamal please visit BringMumiaHome.com