WITNESS
Sister M. Antonia Maguire is the Chaplain at Taconic Correctional Facility, a medium security women's prison in New York. She has held this position for the past 25 years. In a career spanning more than three decades, Sister Antonia has ministered in male and female maximum and medium security prisons. Her work in prisons has provided her with a rich background in faith-based policy and programming. She holds Bachelor's degrees in philosophy and education from Ladycliff College and a Master's degree in counseling from Fordham University.
In addition to her ministry, Sister Antonia has had extensive experience with medical treatment in prison. She has worked on the AIDS Unit in Sing Sing Correctional Facility and currently serves on the New York State AIDS Advisory Council. Combining her commitment to medical care issues and the welfare of inmates, Sister Antonia acts as a Prisoner Advocate on an Institutional Review Board where she assists in the review of research studies proposing to use inmates as subjects. She is also a frequent guest lecturer on the topics of "Prison Ministry" and "AIDS."
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STATEMENT
I have seen women suffering from asthma, be told that they are faking, only to see them end up in the hospital. We have had several women with severe bowel obstructions hospitalized after months of chronic complaining. One woman died after her bowel ruptured. Another woman having had three prior cancer operations was discovered to have a lump in her breast. Her specialist appointment was cancelled as not being necessary. I have seen far too many examples of inadequate and improper medical care.
I have frequently been asked why the treatment of inmates is so terrible. I've asked myself that same question and the only thought that I can come up with is:
In times past, when slave traders were able to convince plantation owners that the black man was an animal without a soul and could be worked to death, good people became slave owners.
In our day, inmates are looked upon as animals without souls and that even prison is too good for them, and even some good people are buying that.
Surely, together, right-minded human beings can determine ways in which we can relieve the sufferings of these incarcerated brothers and sisters of ours — for each of us will have to stand alone before our God some day and answer for the way we have treated His children. To be aware of such situations, and to say nothing, would make me a part of them. I cannot live with that on my conscience.
Excerpted from a written statement submitted to the Commission
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