Rather Than Sitting Silently, These Heroes Raised Their Voices To Fight For Better Health Care In West Virginia Jails
Lesley Nash, Staff Attorney, Mountain State Justice
The Baxley case started in 2018 at one jail in West Virginia but grew into a class action about the healthcare being provided at all ten regional jails in West Virginia. Though the class included all people who are or would in the future be held at the jails, the class was represented by a group of incredible representatives, among them John Baxley, Earl Edmondson, Joshua Hall, Heather Reed, and Donna Wells Wright. These class reps all experienced distinct but related problems accessing the medical or mental health treatment they required while in the regional jails. Rather than sitting silently and enduring this poor medical care, they raised their voices to fight for better care for themselves and everyone in the jails. Their words, like their commitment in this case, reflect the passion they have brought to this work from day one.
Mr. John Baxley has been involved in the case from the beginning. “I did what I could and what I needed to do,” he says, explaining that the providers in the facilities are “quick to judge people and not sit down and find the causes of the issues … it put me in the position of being hurt and seeing others hurt. So [for me], there was responsibility.”
Another plaintiff, Mr. Earl Edmonson, shares, “I’m a Vietnam vet who has health issues. These health issues got worse in jail, and we weren’t getting the treatment we deserved.” The issues he faced with his own health spurred him to become involved in the case. “My own problem led me to help others get the treatment they needed.”
“I know you can’t court order compassion. But [outcomes] like this give everyone hope that it will be okay.” - Donna Wells Wright
Another class rep, Ms. Donna Wells Wright, became involved because even though she was being regularly moved between two regional jails, her medications were not. “I would go to the jail and it would take two weeks before I would get my meds ... and that’s not right. If you take these [medications] outside the jails, you should be able to get them in the jails.” Then, however, “A letter came in the mail … [and] I wrote to Lydia (MSJ attorney), and that’s where it started.”
Ms. Heather Reed was similarly spurred to become an advocate following a personal medical issue. The jail “took me off my psychiatric medication and replaced it with another medication that had side effects. […] I heard … that MSJ was addressing these issues, so I wanted to be involved.”
After selflessly being involved in this case for nearly four years, the settlement - which includes a new medical contract, a higher quality of care, and a two-year implementation and review period in which Mountain State Justice is heavily involved - has been a long-awaited and well-deserved outcome. Mr. Baxley says, “I’m excited about the changes. If someone comes in [to a jail] in the position I was in, they’re actually able to get the help they need.”
“I was happy when I found out about the settlement,” says Ms. Reed. “I think the lawsuit helped them get their healthcare system together.” She hopes these changes will prevent people from falling through the cracks, as she did.
When asked about her initial reaction to the settlement, Ms. Wells Wright becomes teary, sharing that, when she heard about the settlement, “I cried … for the ones that are still there, I know it’s extremely hard. […] It touched me that someone out there cared enough to put a stop to some of this cruelty.” Resolutions like this remind her that “hope is here.”
Though this case is in its settlement implementation stage, its class reps are not done yet.
Mr. Edmondson is a strong advocate for the rights of Vietnam veterans, and continues to work to bring light to injustices faced by vets such as himself.
Heather Reed is now looking forward to returning to her life after release.
Ms. Reed says that the suit empowered her to share her story for both herself, and for others. “I’m typically a private person, and I would have stayed silent [without the lawsuit] trying to do what’s best for people in the jail.” She is now looking forward to returning to her life after release, to “be a good mother to my son, a good daughter to my mother.”
Though still incarcerated, Mr. Baxley has become a fierce advocate for the rights of people who are incarcerated. “I’m going to keep fighting,” he says. “We’ve fixed one part of the system, and if I have to fix one thing at a time, I will.” He continues, “I don’t care about [money]. What I care about is making things right.”
Ms. Wells Wright carries her compassionate mindset with her. She knows how hard it can be to make positive change. “I know you can’t court order compassion. But [outcomes] like this give everyone hope that it will be okay.” When asked what she hopes for the future, she asks, “Does it have to be about jails, or can I talk about West Virginia?”
“Either is fine.”
“The state of West Virginia … instead of judging people for the worst thing they’ve done, we need to remember that’s not who they are. They’re your neighbor who needs help.”
The Baxley case, from the beginning, has been about helping people get care they need and deserve while they’re in jail. Donna, John, Heather, Josh, and Earl, along with the countless other class members who supported this case without any hope or expectation of personal benefit, showcased the best of West Virginia, doing exactly what Ms. Wells Wright says is needed: helping their neighbors.
John Baxley Jr., Danny Spiker, Donna Wells Wright, Heather Reed, Earl Edmondson, and Joshua Hall were inducted into the Impact Fund Class Action Hall of Fame on February 24th, 2023, in recognition of their courage, sacrifice, commitment, and determination that led to a significant advance in social justice.
