a justice-focused movement dedicated to addressing wrongful incarceration, medical neglect in correctional facilities, and systemic failures within the criminal justice system.
About Jose “Jay” Rodriguez — and Why the Jay Act Exists
Who is “Jay” — and why the Jay Act exists
Jose “Jay” Rodriguez is my brother.
Before anything else—before the system, before the sentence, before the labels—he is family. He is someone who laughs, who guides others, who has mentored the people around him even while living in one of the most unforgiving environments imaginable.
For more than a decade, Jay has been incarcerated. And for years, I have watched from the outside as he has tried to survive not just confinement—but neglect.
He has asked for help.
He has followed the rules.
He has filed grievances.
He has been approved for care.
And still… he waits.
There is a particular kind of pain that comes with knowing someone you love is suffering—and you cannot reach them. That their health is declining while requests go unanswered. That decisions about their care are delayed, ignored, or lost in a system that moves without urgency for the people inside it.
You start to realize something devastating:
This is not an exception. This is happening to people every single day.
The Jay Act Advocacy & Legal Reform Initiative was born out of that realization—and out of refusal.
Refusal to accept that incarceration should mean neglect.
Refusal to stay silent while lives are treated as disposable.
Refusal to let my brother’s suffering—and the suffering of so many others—go unseen.
This is bigger than Jay. But it starts with him.
The Jay Act is a demand for humanity inside a system that too often forgets it. It is a call for timely, adequate medical care. For accountability when institutions fail. For transparency where there has been silence.
Most of all, it is a promise:
That we will not look away.
That we will not stop pushing.
That we will fight—for Jay, and for every person whose voice has been ignored behind prison walls.
Because no one deserves to suffer in silence.
And no system should be allowed to operate without answering for that suffering.
The jay act
Justice for Incarcerated Patients Act
Purpose
To establish mandatory medical treatment timelines for incarcerated individuals diagnosed with serious illnesses and to impose civil and administrative penalties on correctional medical providers and administrators who fail to provide timely care.
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE
This Act may be cited as the “Jay Act.”
SECTION 2. FINDINGS
Congress finds that:
The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution requires correctional institutions to provide adequate medical care to incarcerated individuals.
Numerous federal court rulings have determined that deliberate indifference to serious medical needs constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
Delays in diagnosis and treatment of serious medical conditions—including cancer, autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders, and organ failure—can result in irreversible harm, disease progression, or death.
Current correctional medical systems often lack clear timelines for treatment, resulting in prolonged delays and systemic neglect.
Accountability mechanisms are necessary to ensure that incarcerated individuals receive timely medical care consistent with constitutional standards.
SECTION 3. MEDICAL EMERGENCY CLASSIFICATION
A Serious Medical Condition under this Act includes:
Cancer or suspected cancer
Autoimmune disorders (including lupus)
Neurological conditions
Severe infections
Organ disease
Any condition that may significantly worsen without timely treatment.
SECTION 4. MANDATORY MEDICAL TIMELINES
All correctional facilities receiving federal funding must comply with the following:
Initial Medical Evaluation
Any incarcerated individual reporting symptoms of a serious medical condition must receive a physician evaluation within 72 hours.
Specialist Referral
If a physician determines that specialist care is required, the appointment must be scheduled within 14 days.
Diagnostic Testing
All medically necessary diagnostic tests (biopsy, imaging, bloodwork, etc.) must occur within 21 days of being ordered.
Cancer Treatment
Upon confirmation of a cancer diagnosis:
Oncology consultation must occur within 14 days
Treatment must begin within 30 days
SECTION 5. FAILURE TO COMPLY
If a correctional medical unit fails to meet the timelines established in this Act:
The medical unit director and supervising officials may be held personally accountable through civil penalties.
The correctional facility may face:
Loss of federal funding
Federal medical oversight
Mandatory external medical review
Any delay that results in disease progression, permanent harm, or death shall be presumed to constitute medical neglect under federal law.
SECTION 6. PERSONAL LIABILITY
Medical administrators, contractors, and supervisory staff who knowingly delay or obstruct medical care may be subject to:
Federal civil penalties
Professional licensing review
Federal investigation by the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
SECTION 7. MEDICAL RECORD PRESERVATION
When a complaint or grievance related to medical neglect is filed:
All medical records must be preserved immediately.
Records must be provided to authorized family members or legal representatives within 7 business days.
Destruction, alteration, or concealment of medical records shall constitute a federal offense.
SECTION 8. INDEPENDENT MEDICAL REVIEW BOARD
The Department of Justice shall establish a Correctional Medical Review Board to:
Investigate allegations of medical neglect
Review deaths in custody
Audit correctional healthcare systems
Issue public reports.
SECTION 9. RIGHT TO EXTERNAL MEDICAL CARE
If a correctional facility cannot provide adequate treatment within the timelines required under this Act, the incarcerated individual must be transferred to an outside medical facility without delay.
SECTION 10. CIVIL ACTIONS
Families of incarcerated individuals harmed due to medical delays may bring expedited federal civil actions against responsible correctional agencies and medical contractors.
SECTION 11. IMPLEMENTATION
This Act shall take effect 180 days after enactment.
Core Principle of the Jay Act
No incarcerated person should suffer irreversible harm or death due to preventable medical delays.
Correctional medical units must operate under clear timelines, transparency, and accountability.
Make an impact
・
Create change
・
Empower Others
・
Make an impact ・ Create change ・ Empower Others ・
Make an impact
・
Create change
・
Empower Others
・
Make an impact ・ Create change ・ Empower Others ・
Contact Us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!