Inmates say COVID is circulating in TCF but no treatment provided
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Posting on Facebook an inmate serving a life sentence inside the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) is seen pleading for help after he tested positive for COVID-19 but has not received any medical treatment — and a video of the live feed is circulating on social media this week.
The video of the inmate, Siaumau Siaumau Jr. was shared by many people on Facebook and other social media.
Siaumau Jr, who goes by the nickname, “Teebaby” was having a hard time breathing while he was live on his Facebook page straight from TCF this past Sunday afternoon.
“My name is Teebaby Siaumau and I’m here live at the Correctional Facility. I was taken to the LBJ on Friday and I was tested positive for Coronavirus. Ever since then, I have never been treated,” Siaumau Jr said on his Facebook live.
“I begged the watch commander about my whole house here at Alpha A and everyone has being sick … asking to the public if you guys have any family inside here, I’m telling you our lives are in danger right now because we’re not being treated.”
“This is the third day and please help us. May God bless you guys who ever is watching me right now. Love you. Love you. God bless. Thank you,” the live feed ended.
Family and friends of the inmates offered their comments on Facebook asking the Task Force and the Department of Health to take quick action to save the lives of their family members serving time inside TCF.
“Someone please look into this matter as soon as possible. Someone’s life is in danger and he needs immediate medical attention before it’s too late,” one person commented on Facebook.
Another inmate also posted on his Facebook and said that the situation — the spread of the Coronavirus inside TCF — is really bad.
This inmate stated on his post that the majority of inmates inside TCF did not get their vaccinations and that’s making the situation right now so bad.
“We have been asking TCF guards for help but our calls fall into deaf ears. We are human beings like you and we’re asking for an immediate response to save our lives before it’s too late,” the post says.
Efforts to get a comment from the Police Commissioner or his deputies about this matter were unsuccessfully.
However, two senior officers confirmed to Samoa News that the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is aware of the situation and they are working on it.
A TCF guard who wished not to be named told Samoa News that there are TCF guards testing positive with the virus who are now in home quarantine.
The guard said that there is a possibility that there are some inmates infected with the virus but nothing has been done to help them.
The mother of an inmate in TCF told Samoa News last week that she received a phone call from her son regarding the spread of the virus inside the prison compound.
According to the mother, her son told her that he’s also having symptoms from the virus but he has not been transported to LBJ for a check up.
The mother said she could tell that her son was very sick when she spoke with him.
Two weeks ago, an attorney contacted Samoa News regarding one of his clients inside TCF who tested positive, but no additional information was offered about this matter.
BACKGROUND
Siaumau Jr is serving a life sentence for the killing of a police officer Lt. Lusila Brown outside of the temporary court house in Fagatogo in July 2010. He was also handed two ten year sentences for the attempted murder of two other police officers. The sentences are being served concurrently.