PUBLIC VIEWPOINT Attempts Were Made To Help Inmate

In response to the articles in your newspaper.

I am writing to explain some of the reasoning behind the fact Faith Denise Whitcomb was not bailed out of the jail, by the people who loved her, and were friends.

Denise had a mental condition that made us unsure of her reaction to being in fear of being incarcerated. We were told two people had to sign for her to be able to pay the bond and they had to be responsible for her attendance in any courtdealings, and if she did not attend then the full amount of the bail had to be met.

There were unlimited attempts to get in touch with her (public defender, the judge and jail personnel), both by phone and letters, only to be told by county personnel we could not talk to them, or they could not tell us anything. We had no knowledge of the cancer that consumed her. We knew she was asking for medical attention and she was only given the bare minimum of Tylenol and over-the-counter stomachmedicine (Pepto-Bismol).

Denise was a person who would go without food in order to ensure she had a home. She paid her bills promptly. She also was the first to give food, shelter or money to those less fortunate.

If she had been released or sent to the mental facility as was ordered by the judge, she could have been given proper medical attention.

Surely the county has qualified medical people in the jail to attend to the prisoners; as a taxpayer I know some of our taxes go for these services. Theyshould be the kind of people that know and can see that a person is not just complaining to be annoying, but is really ill.

I am appalled at this type of treatment for anyone, regardless of their crime.

We would not let an animal suffer in this way.

I only pray this will get our legislators into a quick resolution of this problem in our justice system and that not another soul has to go through this kind of treatment.

VIRGINIA ELDRED

Bella Vista