Are any prison reformers out there? If so, we just received this email asking for information on how to address the following problem:

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Skin or Soft Tissue Infections in Lewis Facility in Arizona DOC is a highly contageous bacteria infection that is running rampant through Lewis Facility and being denied by the health care staff as being "spider bites". One inmate has had this stapf infection for over a year.

It is to epidemic propotions and they either deny it exists or try to treat it inadequately with non effective antibiotics to avoid the treatment needed - 4 days of IV antibiotic drip with the costly appropriate antibiotic, the cultures and blood tests required. In Sept, 2002, 928 inmates had MRSA in the LA County Jail system which were originally diagnosed as spider bites and subsequently found to be MRSA by the CDC.

Lewis Facility denies epidemic and has isolated or quarantined ZERO prisoners even from outside visitation. Please advise me of who to inform of this contagion that can break through this wall of prison health indifference to the needs of the inmates and surrounding community. Thank you.