EklektikosByStar

May 11, 2022

Governor Kate Brown
900 Court Street NE, Suite 254
Salem, OR 97301-4047

Dear Governor Brown,

I write this letter today on behalf of my brother Dean Sturgill (SID 4500242), who is scheduled for release from OSP on June 17th this year. Please see the attached copy of my letter (to you) dated April 15, 2021. In it I spoke of my brother’s health being in “steady decline behind bars”, “medical care deficiencies”, and my lack of confidence in the DOC’s ability to “execute an acceptable release plan”.

Here is a relevant excerpt:

“Some are familiar with his preexisting conditions, which are extensive and include traumatic brain injury. But it is clear that Oregon’s archaic inmate medical care/records system is not up to the task of efficiently addressing Dean’s medical needs. Further, I have absolutely no confidence in the DOC’s ability to execute an acceptable release plan that addresses his ongoing health needs, when his time’s up in about one year.”

Now, just over a year later, my dismal prediction is sadly unfolding. My brother’s brain injury and mounting medical issues do not appear to be factoring into his release plan. At least as of early this month.

This was clarified in conversation with OSP staff person Anna Brown, after relaying my concerns to her on May 5th. At that time I shared my own doctor’s advice, to find out whether there is anyone akin to a social worker involved in Dean’s release plan. As it turns out, not even his “release counselor” (Mr. Harding) is privy to his multiple health issues. Yet, Dean should have been flagged as “case managed” months ago.

I had a flashing red light moment while talking with Dean in late April, about his first phone conversation with his PO in Roseburg. As it became obvious that Dean might not actually HAVE a place to reside on the day of his arrival (by Greyhound), the new PO asked if he “was in good standing at the Mission”.

Seriously!?

As relayed to Ms Brown, I visualized Dean “standing in the middle of a bus station, carrying his box of personal belongings, with a CPAP case over his shoulder”. I asked questions about how (visually obvious) disabled inmates get released appropriately. I elaborated on Dean’s traumatic brain injury, which predated all medical issues arising while incarcerated at OSP (some COVID-related), and assured her that, “This is a train wreck!”

As I told Ms Brown, I’m not suggesting that any DOC staff members or medical care providers are INTENTIONALLY creating greater obstacles to Dean’s safe and appropriate release plan (or, for that matter, care inconsistencies over the course of his incarceration). But I informed her that I’d be writing this letter to voice my outrage.

Also worth noting is that new medical issues are occurring. At a late April second visit with a heart specialist Dean found the doctor quite displeased, as he learned that Dean’s new heart medication was still not being provided, as he’d prescribed. Then early last week Dean was still not finding his new prescription filled at the med cart. Meanwhile, medical procedures related to the above (and potentially blot clotting) are being scheduled for the near future. In other words, about one month prior to release.

It’s remarkable that I should even have to be writing this letter. Yet, my displeasure is far less important than the anxiety and confusion my brother is experiencing. Today on the phone Dean reflected on the five or so times he’s suggested a staff person or care provider review his pre-sentencing psych evaluation, which is on file. Thus far, it appears nobody has. And yet, if they had, they’d have a much better understanding of his invisible disability.

Concerned and sad,

Star Holmberg
State of Oregon Office Specialist 2, Ret. (Univ. Of Oregon)

Cc: Juan Chauvez, Attorney at Law, OJRC
Collette Peters, Director, DOC
Dean Sturgill, SID 4500242