A convicted Texas cattle rustler says sending him to prison may be a death sentence because the jail’s facilities are insufficient to help him manage his severe case of diabetes. With the county’s district attorney unmoved, he is pleading his case to the American public, according to a recent article in the American-Statesman.
Roddy Dean Pippin, 25, was sentenced to two concurrent four year prison terms for stealing cows, but was released and placed under house arrest about two years ago after questions were raised about the facility’s ability to care for him and his “brittle” Type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body’s cells mistakenly attack insulin–producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone needed by the body to regulate blood sugar levels. Some cases of Type 1 diabetes are more severe than others, according to the American-Statesman article.
Pippin, who has had diabetes since he was 6 years old, says he is scared and hopes he survives the sentence. Supporters say that the last time he was in prison Pippin had to become deathly ill before prison personnel helped him. Pippin says he suffered seizures the last time he was in jail when prison personnel did not provide him with his insulin shots on time or with his special diet. Making matters worse, he says that the guards mistook his convulsions as resisting their direction and forcibly restrained him.
Pippin, who stole cows, saddles and farm equipment, says he made some bad decisions and turned to crime because he was desperate. He also says that seizures from his diabetes made it impossible for him to hold a regular job after college.
The district attorney said jail officials have made the proper arrangements to provide Pippin with proper case, which includes checking his blood sugar levels every four hours, according to the American-Statesman article.
Pippin, who is petitioning the court to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, also has a Facebook page, Twitter account, a public relations firm and a music video to help take his case to the American people.
To receive free news updates from Diabetes News Hound delivered straight to your Inbox, sign up here. If you already receive the free Alerts, spread the word by telling a friend to sign up here.
Roddy has been in a Houston-area hospital this week because the prison system isn’t properly caring for his diabetes. His sugars have been kept extremly high and he is not recieving proper insulin. They also serve him pancakes with pre-saturated syrup and don’t allow him to check his sugars. If he doesn’t eat all his meal he gets written up.