Inmate medical care enters new era at Fresno County Jail
By Marc Benjamin, The Fresno Bee | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
County supervisors in March approved a five-year contract worth up to
Each year has a 3.3% escalator to pay higher costs over the life of the contract. The cost for the first year is
"There have been some positive changes," Prison Law Office attorney
County officials chose to go out to bid for jail and juvenile medical services because there are companies that provide the service and have personnel with expertise to manage and improve the program.
Corizon was the less costly of two bids. The other bidder was
County officials said California Forensic's bid was preferred, but it came in
A third study showed the costs would be
Nearly all jail medical staff applied for positions with Corizon. The county had 114 full-time equivalent positions in the jail, 74 full-time and 40 part-time or extra-help workers.
Of those who previously worked in the jail medical services division, 106 were offered positions with Corizon, said
"We were very pleased with the number who applied and the number of offers that went out," he said. "We were able to place almost everyone who was affected by the transfer."
Pomaville said there have been some retirements and that county staff is "working hard to place others in jobs with the county."
While salaries are similar, full-time employees who transfer to Corizon will no longer get county retirement but are enrolled in a 401(k) plan with a percentage of company cash match, Pomaville said. The health insurance also is comparable, he said.
About half the employees hired by Corizon served in extra-help or part-time capacities for the county, so their benefits will improve, Pomaville said.
When
"In general, it's been working extremely well," said
She said top county staff holds regular monthly meetings with Corizon corporate and local jail medical services staff to keep updated on medical issues in the jail.
Company officials said they look forward to operating in
"We are going to hit the ground running," Dr.
The results the company has had in other counties, he said, "are reproducible."
One way the company saves money is by using on-site services instead of sending patients to hospitals.
Corizon spokeswoman
A concern in the lawsuit was a failure to maintain prescriptions when an inmate arrived at the jail or returned from a state hospital.
Morgenstern said Corizon will keep state hospital treatment plans in mind "to ensure continuity of care when an inmate returns from (a) specialized treatment program."
Fresno County Assistant Sheriff
"Corizon is a professional organization. They know what they're doing and they're updated on all new laws and requirements, probably more than the county was," Gattie said. "The county was OK at doing a lot of things but didn't have resources and expertise to keep up on correctional health like Corizon does. Their expertise and prior experience is beneficial for everybody."
He said he expects Corizon to improve the jail's quality of care while reducing problems and grievances.
The reporter can be reached at (559) 441-6166, [email protected] or @beebenjamin on
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