Your guy is sick and getting worse, and so far he has not been allowed to see the nurse or doctor. Every time he calls he sounds terrible. Jails put countless inmates in the same area with little ventilation, and when someone gets sick it is sometimes days, weeks or months until they are seen by a healthcare professional. If he has been trying to seek help to no avail, it’s time to start working it from the outside as well as the inside. He needs to: Send out a request every single day. If he is in a jail where he must give a written request to the guards, tell him to ask for an officer.  Each shift has a Lieutenant or another officer in charge. He needs to give his request to the highest-ranking officer during each shift. If he does it by a computer in a kiosk, he should continue to make the request. Have fellow inmates try on his behalf: If he is on good terms with his Cellies, they too can send out requests for your guy to see the nurse or doctor. Their reason can be that they don’t want to catch whatever it is he has and he needs to be examined before it spreads. While that is happening inside, you start from the outside Call the jail: Every jail has a medical office. It may not be staffed 100 percent of the time but it most likely has a voicemail so you can leave messages. Start with one message the first day. Provide your guy’s inmate number, the fact that he has been requesting medical attention to no avail, and ask, calmly but firmly, that they call you back to discuss his situation. Leave your number. Call every day. Go in person: If you live close enough to drive to the jail, do it. The nurse is on duty and you can request to see him or her. When the nurse comes out to see you, explain why you are there and ask when your guy will be seen. You may be told the nurse doesn’t have time to meet with you. That is okay. Leave a note detailing your guy’s inmate number, how many times he has asked to be seen and what his health issue is. Once they know you will drive there in person, they might get moving on the problem. . Email: If you still don’t get a response, call the administrator’s office. Speak to the administrator or leave a message. Also search the jail’s website to find an email address and email a quick note with your guy’s inmate number, name, medical issue and the fact that you have called three days in a row, he has asked for X number of days, and you don’t understand why he has not received appropriate medical care. Final thoughts: Unfortunately, in a jail setting it is those who have outside support systems who are less likely to be ignored or mistreated by staff. Once the jail realizes someone with access to phones, mail and media wants to know why the jail is not fulfilling its duties, they typically get the matter handled. Most jail nurses are compassionate individuals and it’s just a matter of getting the message to the nurse that your guy needs to be seen. Sheriff and Judge Battle Over Medical Care in Jail Jails Enroll Inmates in Obamacare