Chapter 19

Liz attempted to see her mother over the next two weeks, but was told that the prisoner had been placed in administrative segregation because of an unfortunate incident. When she asked what 'administrative segregation' was, she couldn't get an answer. All she was told was that Abbey was not being allowed any visitors until further notice.

Liz finally called on Bill, trying to get some answers.

"Bill, I know something's wrong. It's not like my mother to get involved in anything like a so-called unfortunate incident. Can you make some calls and find out what's going on?"

"Liz, is there something I should know? You mother has had two very serious injuries over the past few months and you wanted her to stay out of the prison this last time. What's going on?"

Liz knew she had to tell somebody. "Bill, Mom needs some help. Something is happening to her in prison and she won't talk about it. Let me try and explain what's happened that I know about."

She described to Bill the sequence of events and the fear Abbey had expressed in the hospital about going back.

"Do you have proof?"

"No, we don't. But Mom will tell you. I know she will."

Bill became livid. He had known Jed and Abbey Bartlet for many years and considered them to be close friends. "How could anyone do this to such a fine woman? Yes, Abbey made a mistake but she stood up for herself and took the punishment the court was required to give her. All your mother ever wanted was some peace for your father. Her life should not be endangered while in prison."

"Bill, she could get killed in there. There has to be a way we can help her."

Bill looked across his desk to see a very frightened daughter.

"Okay. Right now, let me call the Director of Corrections. Dan and I have a long friendship and he should be able to tell me something about this so-called 'unfortunate incident'. I'll call you later this afternoon, if that's okay? Maybe he can find out more than I can."

"Bill, what's administrative segregation? That's what they said Mom had been assigned to after this so called unfortunate incident."

"It's basically isolation. The prisoner cannot leave her cell for 23 hours a day, the other hour would be spent in solitary exercise, her meals are slipped in through the door, and there's no contact with anyone else. She can shower once a week but only under supervision and in handcuffs. It's normally used to punish prisoners who have gotten into fights or broken some serious rule. I have no clue why Abbey would be subjected to this. It doesn't make sense."

"We have to get to the bottom of this, Bill. Mom is already depressed and this might push her over the edge." Tears slid down Liz's face, thinking of the horror her mother was experiencing.

"Liz, I promise you I'll get to the bottom of this. I'll call in any favor I have, from the governor on down, to get a resolution."

Liz stood to go. "Thanks. If I can't get Mom out of there, at least I prevent this crap from happening."

"I doubt this will shorten your mother's sentence but I'll do everything humanly possible to find out what's going one and get it to stop. Dan owes me some favors and I'm calling them in right now. Now go home and sit by the phone. I'll call you as soon as I find out something."