Incarcerated women
learn about health at fairThe annual event features
blood pressure checks
and makeovers
An annual health fair at the Women's Community Correctional Center means a lot to the inmates, says Larson Medina, recreational specialist.
The women took advantage of health information and services offered by community and state agencies yesterday at the Kailua prison.
"It's real good," said Kehau Fontes, 36, mother of nine from Hilo. "Every year, we learn a lot."
The WCCC health fair, held as part of Women's Health Month in September, featured a variety of booths and activities from self-exams for breast cancer to blood pressure checks, body fat measurements and facial makeovers.
Medina said the health fair is better every year, and the women's attitude is changing. "To me this leads to empowerment. It starts with yourself."
Winona "Bootsie" Kauwe, WCCC nurse manager, said one goal is to get the women to be more self-sufficient and take care of their needs without having to go to the medical unit.
A large majority smoke, and asthma and bronchitis are major health problems, she said, noting the prison is working with the American Lung Association on a smoking-cessation program.
Warden John Kellam said the health education "seems to be sticking with them a little more."
Last year, some woman signed up for a stop-smoking program, and six or eight did stop, he said.
Kellam said the prison is crowded with 296 women housed in space for 258. About 108 women awaiting trial are at the Oahu Community Correctional Center, and 64 more female inmates are in Oklahoma.
About 85 percent of female offenders are in prison because of substance abuse or related crimes, Kellam said. "Just like the community," he added, the biggest problem is crystal methamphetamine, or "ice."
He said one of WCCC's most successful programs is Ke Alaula, a 50-bed therapeutic community operated by Hina Mauka for drug-abusing female inmates. The program began in 2001 with 15 women and has expanded to 50. "It has a fabulous success rate," Kellam said.
Rusty Anoba and Dale Tanoai, both with ice-related problems, handed out literature about the program at the fair.
"It's an awesome program," said Anoba. She said she chose to remain at WCCC when she was paroled to finish the program but will be out in seven days and home with her family.
Tanoai, who expects to finish the recovery program in about two months, said she will go into a work furlough program and try to get a job.
Anoba said her ice addiction is "a battle I'm going to fight for the rest of my life, but I'm going to fight it really hard."
"Out there, doing ice, it was numbing our feelings," Tanoai said. "Now, with treatment, we can look back at the way we were living."
