Son Claims Father Was Neglected While In Lexington Prison

Gruesome photos smuggled out of Lexington state prison of a dying man are at the center of his son’s rage Tuesday night. 

Phillip West’s father Doug West was convicted of first-degree murder 26 years ago in Murray County. 

Phillip West sent News 9 more than two dozen photos that he said are of his father very recently in the Lexington prison infirmary, and of his father’s body taken at a funeral home Monday afternoon. 

All the photos show a frail man with sores and bruising all over his body. 

Phillip West said the photos are all of his father. 

He said his dad had been battling brain cancer for the past year, but he said the photos tell the real story of flat-out neglect at Lexington state prison.

“Just 'cause you’re a criminal, doesn’t make you a dog somebody can write on with a sharpie, someone you can date stamp bandages, and not change 'em for two months. This is ridiculous,” he said. 

A spokesman with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections released the following statement Tuesday afternoon: 

“He received the proper level of treatment for the medical condition he was being treated for. As is the case with any inmate deaths, his records will be sent to an internal review committee, as well as third-party review.”