A Life Jailed and Sick

Having served 25 years and three days of his life behind bars, Honorio Gómez is a vocal critic of the inadequate healthcare provisions in Spanish prisons, drawing attention to the alarming number of deaths among inmates due to medical neglect.

Pope's own experiences with health issues while incarcerated, including kidney stones and hepatitis C, underscore the systemic failures in providing adequate medical care to prisoners. Despite facing obstacles and mysterious transfers before scheduled surgeries, Pope's persistent advocacy through hunger strikes and appeals to human rights organizations has helped bring attention to the dire need for healthcare reform within Spain's prison system.

Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. 2019.

After having been in and out of prison most of his life, Honorio Gómez, known as Pope, now lives in tranquility, in a small town in Albacete province, with his partner and their many rescued pets. - Paula González Gavilanes
After having been in and out of prison most of his life, Honorio Gómez, known as Pope, now lives in tranquility, in a small town in Albacete province, with his partner and their many rescued pets.
During the serving of his sentences, he suffered from various illnesses, including kidney stones, hepatitis C, and a degenerative disease called Dupuytren's contracture, for which he lost a finger due to lack of care during his time in prison. - Paula González Gavilanes
During the serving of his sentences, he suffered from various illnesses, including kidney stones, hepatitis C, and a degenerative disease called Dupuytren's contracture, for which he lost a finger due to lack of care during his time in prison.
For the treatment of hepatitis C in Honorio's case, the medication used was Sovaldi. Honorio testifies that "it was an extremely expensive medication, but that was the medication needed. It separated you from living or dying." - Paula González Gavilanes
For the treatment of hepatitis C in Honorio's case, the medication used was Sovaldi. Honorio testifies that "it was an extremely expensive medication, but that was the medication needed. It separated you from living or dying."
Pope describes himself as a jack of all trades and master of none. Except for ceramics, which is his passion. - Paula González Gavilanes
Pope describes himself as a jack of all trades and master of none.
Except for ceramics, which is his passion.
Currently, he remains connected to support groups for incarcerated people and their families. "I also give lectures to explain the conditions in which both sick and healthy individuals are living in prisons." - Paula González Gavilanes
Currently, he remains connected to support groups for incarcerated people and their families. "I also give lectures to explain the conditions in which both sick and healthy individuals are living in prisons."
The only bar in town is managed by Pope and his partner. In his few years there, he has become a respected and cared for member of the community. His bar, an important space of gathering for this village. - Paula González Gavilanes
The only bar in town is managed by Pope and his partner. In his few years there, he has become a respected and cared for member of the community. His bar, an important space of gathering for this village.
After so many years spent behind bars, Pope states: "If the result of the mix of all the good and bad I've experienced is the person I am today, I'll take it all. I wouldn't change a thing." - Paula González Gavilanes
After so many years spent behind bars, Pope states: "If the result of the mix of all the good and bad I've experienced is the person I am today, I'll take it all. I wouldn't change a thing."
After having been in and out of prison most of his life, Honorio Gómez, known as Pope, now lives in tranquility, in a small town in Albacete province, with his partner and their many rescued pets. - Paula González Gavilanes
During the serving of his sentences, he suffered from various illnesses, including kidney stones, hepatitis C, and a degenerative disease called Dupuytren's contracture, for which he lost a finger due to lack of care during his time in prison. - Paula González Gavilanes
For the treatment of hepatitis C in Honorio's case, the medication used was Sovaldi. Honorio testifies that "it was an extremely expensive medication, but that was the medication needed. It separated you from living or dying." - Paula González Gavilanes
Pope describes himself as a jack of all trades and master of none. Except for ceramics, which is his passion. - Paula González Gavilanes
Currently, he remains connected to support groups for incarcerated people and their families. "I also give lectures to explain the conditions in which both sick and healthy individuals are living in prisons." - Paula González Gavilanes
The only bar in town is managed by Pope and his partner. In his few years there, he has become a respected and cared for member of the community. His bar, an important space of gathering for this village. - Paula González Gavilanes
After so many years spent behind bars, Pope states: "If the result of the mix of all the good and bad I've experienced is the person I am today, I'll take it all. I wouldn't change a thing." - Paula González Gavilanes
This article was published in Vice. To read it CLICK HERE - Paula González Gavilanes
This article was published in Vice. To read it CLICK HERE

This website uses cookies to improve your experience.