Staff Reports
The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) are being questioned by House Republicans in response to allegations that two elderly anti-abortion campaigners who were detained were not given basic medical treatment. Lawmakers claim that while Ms. Jean Marshall, 74, and Heather Idoni, 59, were being held by the USMS, they were not provided with the required medical care.
Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Andy Harris (R-MD), co-chairmen of the House Pro-Life Caucus, have written to BOP Director Colette Peters and USMS Director Ronald Davis expressing their grave concerns regarding these reports. They are asking for a thorough report on the medical attention given to the two women while they were in detention. They have also asked Peters to give plans for proper care for Ms. Idoni in the event that she is placed in BOP custody, as well as an overview of the steps the BOP has taken to guarantee Ms. Marshall receives appropriate care.
*I'm choking, gagging, wheezing on the fvvking irony right now *
House Republicans investigate reports of ‘elderly’ anti-abortion activists being denied ‘necessary’ healthcare in jailhttps://t.co/GgM1JrfDMU
— tellthetruth 🐻🕯️🇺🇦🇬🇪🇸🇩🇺🇳🟧 (@9_tellthetruth) May 17, 2024
In Northwest Washington, D.C., the women were found guilty of violating the Freedom of Access to facility Entrances Act by blocking an abortion facility. Idoni has been under USMS custody since August 2023 and Marshall since September 2023 following their convictions. While Idoni is awaiting punishment for her involvement in an unrelated clinic roadblock in Tennessee, Marshall was sentenced on May 25 to an extra 15 months in jail.
The lawmakers' letter focuses on alarming claims about the women's medical care while they were being held. Idoni claimed she was not given her daily prescription for heart medicine, despite having a history of stroke and having stents inserted above her heart. She also claimed that she was not given her diabetes prescription, which prevented her from having any medicines.
Marshall reportedly experienced mobility issues and repeated ER trips while incarcerated, but she was denied hip surgery. Despite having surgery planned for October 2023 due to a diagnosis of osteoarthritis in both hips, she was not allowed to keep that date.
The USMS and BOP have been given a deadline by the congressmen to reply to their questions. The USMS and BOP have been contacted by The Washington Examiner for comments.
Republican senators have shown via these actions that they are dedicated to keeping the USMS and BOP responsible for making sure that all prisoners, regardless of their convictions, receive quality medical treatment.
