From Persecution to Prison - Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of ...

Difficulty Obtaining Specialized CareWhile general medical care is readily accessible at the facilities where asylumseekers are detained, many detainees complained of difficulty obtaining specializedcare, including for chronic conditions. This raises questions aboutwhat care is appropriate and what care can be reasonably delayed. Forexample, one detainee reported that in his country of origin, while attendinga peaceful demonstration, he suffered a gunshot wound to the groin whenpolice fired into the crowd. The bullet remained lodged in his groin. Hereported that while in detention, the pain in his groin and leg worsened. Hereports being seen on a number of occasions by health staff who gave himpain medication, which he reports did not relieve his symptoms. He reportsbeing told that he would have to wait until he was released to have the bulletremoved. He remained in detention for 2 1 ⁄2 years.Another detainee reported a painful testicular lump. While apparentlyan ultrasound was performed, he stated he was never told the results.They only said if I ever get out from this facility, that I could treat itmyself.At the time of the interview the individual had been experiencing discomfortfor approximately three months.A lump on the wrist was a source of pain and frustration for onedetainee for several months. In his country of origin, he reported that soldiershad tied his hands with rope and beaten him. Subsequently, a growthappeared on his wrist from where the rope had been pulled on his skinand bone. He previously had “small surgery” in his country of origin toremove the growth but it had gradually returned. While in INS detention,the subject reported that the growth had grown faster and become morepainful. He reported being given pain medication but was told he wouldhave to wait until he was released from INS detention to receive surgeryfor this condition. After five months in detention, he was subsequentlygranted asylum and released.One detained asylum seeker, a 28-year-old man, had developed a leginfection because of severe beatings in his country of origin, subsequentlyrequiring amputation. When he arrived in the US, he had a poorly fittingprosthesis. The subject reported that his leg pain worsened during hisdetention, and he consulted with medical staff many times, but was notseen by a rehabilitative medicine specialist nor provided with a better fittingprosthesis. The pain was particularly intense when the detainee waslying down.The subject reported that he was given pain medication for this problem,but the pain kept returning. After seven months, the subject wasgranted asylum and released. Subsequently, he was fitted with a new prosthesisat an outside clinic.98 FROM PERSECUTION TO PRISON