Reports revealed that political prisoner of war Mumia Abu-Jamal was handcuffed and shackled to his bed in the prison’s infirmary for almost a week as he recovered from his debilitating ailments. Previously, his whereabouts were unknown to family members for several days, and once they discovered his location, they were not permitted contact with him.
His wife, Wadiya, visited him last Thursday, May 21 and found him to be in lighter spirits, indicating that he laughed and was warm. But he was wheelchair-bound when he came out to the visiting room and is still recovering from his yet-to-be-diagnosed ailments. He revealed to her that he was undergoing a series of tests, because his legs were sore, bloody, swollen and bandaged.
Abu-Jamal had called in to prisonradio.org last Wednesday night, May 20 and discussed the recent Waco tragedy, in which nine people were killed in a shootout between biker gangs. He had been returned to SCI Mahanoy later Tuesday night from the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa.
“The PA Department of Corrections had kept Mumia completely isolated and prevented his family, his doctor and his attorney from having any contact with him during his entire stay in the hospital for over a week,” read one report.
The previous Monday, May 18, Abu-Jamal’s attorneys had filed a federal lawsuit challenging the DOC’s complete disdain for his constitutional rights.
Abu-Jamal is awaiting diagnostic test results, such as the CAT scan and biopsy, which were conducted upon his discharge from the infirmary several weeks ago. This occasion is the first time he has had extensive diagnostic treatment.
“Once we have the medical records [records the prison is being slow to provide] we can have our experts develop a diagnosis and treatment plan,” reads an email message from freemumia.com. “You, dear reader, are going to play a very large roll in whether Mumia gets the care he needs. Together, with your help, your donations are funding this work. Your calls and actions are the only reason he has had any contact with his family. Please keep your drumbeat of support going. He is reaching out to us with his voice, and we need to keep reaching back in to him. Consider writing Mumia a card at Mumia Abu-Jamal, AM 8335 SCI Mahanoy, 301 Morea Rd., Frackville, PA 17932.”