Two more inmates of the Blair County Prison have recently filed federal complaints about conditions in the facility that they say violate their civil rights.

Inmate John Travis Molliver, 44, of Altoona this week filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court in Johnstown contending his access to the courts are being blocked by officials who make it difficult to file and follow up on appeals to the higher courts in Pennsylvania.

Acting as his own lawyer, Molliver has submitted a Habeas Corpus petition asking federal intervention “to be relieved of the restraints of liberty” he has faced since being incarcerated last Sept. 25.

Molliver has named Blair County Prison officials, members of the district attorneys’ office and the judges of the Court of Common Pleas as defendants.

Another inmate, Michael Lynn Feather Jr., 47, stated in a complaint filed Christmas week that he has serious health problems that are not being addressed.

Feather has been in the prison since July 22.

He is suing the prison health care provider, Prime Care Medical Inc. of Harrisburg, the county prison and UPMC Altoona, seeking a resolution to his health concerns.

The most recent lawsuits are just a sample of what has been occurring for several months as many inmates have appealed to the federal courts as a way of correcting the poor living conditions they experience while behind bars.

Ten inmates have already signed on as plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit filed in October by inmate Donald Earl Meyer.

That lawsuit complains the prison is hindering the ability of inmates to represent themselves in court.

The prison doesn’t allow legal calls and access to laptop computers, the class action maintains.

The class action complaint addresses the rodent problem that is occurring in the facility, the small portions of food being served, and, it concluded, “myself as well as inmates here are subjected to cruel and unusual punishment.”

The class action also maintains the inmates are being denied due process, noting “nothing happens” when grievances are filed.

In reference to the latest petitions, Molliver points out that he was arrested in September and that he is being held on a parole violation detrainer.

He noted he has an appeal before the Superior Court challenging a previous conviction.

The county, he charges, refuses to provide paper, envelopes and copies of legal documents and jail personnel are slow in providing legal mail, which, he claims, hinders the inmate in his attempts to file appeals.

He charged he is being deprived of his right to have access to the courts.

Court documents indicate that Molliver in the past was sentenced on charges of burglary, theft and criminal trespass.

Court records show he has one active case against him, a charge of forgery filed in September.

Feather is awaiting disposition of two cases that include charges of strangulation, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

His concern is the medical care provided to inmates.

Feather listed the many ailments which are causing him to suffer.

As of Dec. 16, he stated, he had submitted 48 “sick calls.”

“All but a few have been answered with the reply that ‘You are on the next sick call line.'”

He stated he had been taken to UPMC after one complaint, but said he had the opportunity to talk to a physician for less than five minutes, and was referred to another doctor.

He felt that his visit was short “because I was shackled and in my opinion not important enough.”

His goal in filing his lawsuit is “to receive proper medical treatment and wound care during my incarceration.”

The two new cases plus the class action have been referred to Magistrate Judge Keith A. Pesto in Johnstown for review.