The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Pays For Sex Reassignment Surgery, But Not Life-Saving Living Donor Transplant?

Life here in California is anything but the California dream. We’re all shocked, full of fear, imprisoned in crisis, isolated while feeling defeated more and more as we try and swim upstream in all this despair.

And it’s not just because of COVID-19, you know!

Yes, part of our pain is due to disease and death, but it’s the exposure of corruption and letdown in our governmental justice system that appears to be screaming, “Mayday, Mayday…”

But when you tell me…

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will not pay for a living donor transplant and this beloved has potential donors

I about lost my mind!

Justin is not my child, but I’m roaring almost as loud as if he was.

So wait a minute…

In 2017, a transgender woman by the name of Shiloh Quine, who was 57 years old, incarcerated since 1980 (37 years), became the first U.S. prisoner to receive state-funded SRS. Quine v. Beard, U.S.D.C. (N.D. Cal.), Case No. 3:14-cv-02726-JST. 

A stunning, unprecedented move, from the CDCR where they decided to pay for this sex reassignment surgery (SRS).

But I am bringing your attention to one particular individual in our state prisons with significant health issues. His name is Justin J. Silva, AN0415, incarcerated at New Folsom/CSP Sacramento.

Justin is medically fragile, suffering from end stage kidney failure and is receiving dialysis three times per week at an outside facility. Justin’s dialysis treatment is costing California taxpayers an amount of approximately $100,000 per year.  Justin is on a cadaver kidney transplant list, but has been denied a “live donor transplant” due to the cost to the CDCR; however, Justin has potential donors.

Governor Newsom’s lawyers told a panel of federal judges that the state is taking “extraordinary and unprecedented protective measures” to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect those medically-fragile.  CDCR/CCHCS proclaims they’re “dedicated to the safety of everyone who lives in, works in, and visits our state prisons.”

Justin has served over half his time for his crime committed during juvenile guidelines. He is and has been subjected to COVID-infected staff during transport, precluding him from social distancing which also puts the community at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19.

Emergency release is also supported by the fact that Justin cannot adequately be protected from COVID-19 at this facility because of the constant transportation and location required in dialysis treatment, along with the fact that CSP-SAC is incapable of providing a renal diet. The diet called for is not followed. His diet consists of processed meat and peanut butter.  

Emergency release is also supported due to complications. He is currently experiencing an uncontrolled secondary hyperparathyroidism and is at risk of needing major surgery from the lack of an adequate renal diet. He has waited “weeks” to even receive his prescribed medication.

Releasing Justin J. Silva to his supportive parents who will care for him and have his life spared with a live kidney transplant is requested. This can and should be done without charging taxpayers what his loving family, who are connected both in faith-based and the greater San Diego communities with prior service in the reentry venue, can perform.  

Why lose more lives, time, and waste tax dollars, when there’s a simple solution to a dire need:  Release Justin J. Silva to his loving parents and have his life spared with a live donor kidney transplant.

The chance that this man would re-offend is exceedingly low, and you have broad power over his fate. Release Justin Silva now. You’ve been summoned to utilize your trademark courage and boldness in the past, but this just requires compassion and a signature to release!

We thank you, Governor Newsom, for using your vast powers in undertaking this emergency action necessary to save this California inmate from dying an “unjust and preventable death behind bars” while saving much-needed California tax dollars.

Decriminalizing human pain equals investing in people, not prisons.

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Imprisoned in Crisis

Where the enemy is attempting to bring division, grief and pain, God is restoring unity. What the enemy intended as evil, God will turn it around for good.

#Justice4JustinJ is a call-out campaign to the Governor from the citizens of California, and humanity, insisting that lives must come before dollars. Paying for a transgender surgery, but not for a life-saving transplant and/or release through emergency a medically-fragile beloved whose re-offending nature is extremely low, is unacceptable!

Many elderly and medically-vulnerable prisoners are being kept behind bars for the sake of punishment rather than justice, and it’s time to be a voice for those who can’t speak up for themselves.

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I pray you find it in your heart to reach out and email Gov. Newsom, joining in our campaign for #Justice4JustinJ, requesting that Gov. Newsom grant emergency release for Justin J. Silva, who is indeed medically fragile, to the care of his parents who can arrange for his transplant surgery and receive a second chance. It’s hard to be healed and restored when you’re being denied life-saving surgery.

If you’d like to contact the Governor and support this cause, click here. Directions are simple and it’s just an email away.

Every life matters!

Until next time…