Legislators Seek to Block Privatization of Prison Mental Health Services

HARRISBURG — A bill that would allow 27 Pennsylvania state prisons to outsource mental health services has encountered heavy opposition from state legislatures who are saying such action would put local communities at risk.

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections proposed the idea, which would contract out as many as 187 mental health positions including 159 licensed psychologists, with the idea that the plan would be a cost-effective method of improving mental health services.

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Ariz. Sheriff Awarded For Jail Health Program

CAMP VERDE, Ariz. — The National Association of Counties (NACo) selected Yavapai County Sheriff Steve Waugh as a 2011 recipient of its national Courthouse award. The purpose of the award is to profile elected county officials who have improved the lives of citizens through outstanding governance and strong leadership.  
 
Only three Courthouse award winners are selected each year, representing “superior leadership” and programming from urban, suburban, and rural counties.

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CMS Wins Contract with Louisville DOC

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Correctional healthcare services provider Correctional Medical Services, Inc. was awarded a contract with the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections in Louisville, Ky., valued at more than $5 million annually. The contract is for one year with the potential for four additional one-year extensions.

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PODCAST: Correctional Healthcare Architecture

HOK architect Gregory Cook has plenty of acronyms behind his name including AIA, LEED, and AP. But Cook recently added CCHP — Certified Correctional Health Professional — to his list of accreditations making him the first architect in the United States to earn a professional certificate in the field of correctional healthcare.We talk with Cook about the designation and about what he sees as the future of correctional healthcare architecture.

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N.Y. DOC Pharmacy Could Save Taxpayers Millions

ONEIDA COUNTY, N.Y. — The New York Department of Corrections’ new automated central pharmacy is on schedule to be completed next spring and DOC officials predict it will save taxpayers $1.5 million a year.
 
Construction is nearing completion on the 60,500-square-foot building at the Mid-State Correctional facility in Marcy, which will contain a registered pharmacy with automated dispensing equipment.

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Maricopa to Introduce Electronic Record-keeping

PHOENIX — Maricopa County lawmakers plan to invest up to $10 million in an electronic records system in an effort to improve substandard inmate healthcare services and record keeping.
 
The multimillion-dollar plan, which has the unanimous backing of county supervisors, is included in the county’s 2011 budget proposal, according to reports.

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