Incarcerated people often struggle to get basic medical care. Missed medications. Denied appointments. Delayed surgeries. These issues are common, and in many cases, preventable. But without proof, they’re easy to dismiss. That’s why documentation matters. It protects your loved one and gives you a tool to fight back.

Track every detail

Start with what you know:

• Conditions and diagnoses
• Medication names, doses, and schedule
• Appointment dates (including missed or canceled)
• Names of nurses, doctors, or officers involved

Write down symptoms. Track how long issues go unresolved. Record any changes—good or bad. Keep it factual and dated. If you’re not sure what’s important, track it anyway.

Use a consistent format

You can use a notebook, a spreadsheet, or a printout. What matters is that you can find things quickly. The Chapters and Chains Medical Tracker in the Information Tracker PDF includes:

• Medical condition logs
• Medication and dosage history
• HIPAA form dates
• Accommodation details
• Contacts for medical staff

Print a copy. Update it each time something changes.

Include the timeline

One of the strongest tools you can build is a timeline. Start with the diagnosis or first report of symptoms. List every action and delay. Add dates for:

• Sick call requests
• Grievances filed
• Unit responses
• Outside calls or emails made

If you escalate, this timeline shows a pattern. It becomes hard to ignore.

Escalate when needed

If your loved one is being ignored, don’t wait. First, ask them to file a Step 1 grievance. Then start raising the issue yourself. You can:

• Contact the unit medical department
• Email the health administrator for the region
• Call the Ombudsman
• Submit a complaint to the agency’s health services division

Always keep a copy of what you send. Track the date and who received it. If the problem continues, repeat and include more names. Escalation is a process. Documentation helps speed it up.

Stay calm, stay clear

Avoid exaggeration. Use short sentences. Focus on facts, not feelings. That doesn’t mean you can’t be angry—it means you need to make your message harder to ignore.

Example:
Bad: “They are going to kill him if they don’t stop.”
Better: “My husband was prescribed insulin twice daily. He has missed four doses this week. His blood sugar dropped on Tuesday. He was not seen by medical until Thursday.”

Final step: organize your records

Use the Information Tracker PDF (below) or a physical folder. Keep everything in one place. If your loved one gets transferred, you won’t lose the history. If you need help, it’s ready to share.

Medical neglect in prison is common, but it isn’t invisible when it’s tracked. Good records won’t fix everything. But they can help save a life.