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| Two Inmate Deaths Prompt Questions |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 07/16/2003 |
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There is no evidence of improper medical care, but it's the latest in a string of questions about care provided by Prison Health Services Inc., which has more than 1,000 lawsuits pending against it. PHS, based in Brentwood, Tenn., took over the Leon County jail's infirmary in October. Three inmates have died since, two while in the medical unit under the company's care. Sheriff's deputies are investigating the death of Ruth Hubbs, 39, who died May 16 on the infirmary floor , along with that of an inmate who died June 13 after he was put in restraints in the infirmary. The state of Maine fired PHS as the provider for medical care in its prison system last year after an audit showed prisoners were receiving inadequate care. In Florida, the Pinellas County Jail broke its contract with PHS after a number of deaths, including one in which a nurse scolded an inmate for faking a heart attack. The inmate died. But a consultant hired to monitor Leon County's contract with PHS said the company was doing a good job in a difficult field. Philip Hoelscher of Alliance Medical Management, hired by Leon County as a consultant to monitor the company's work, told The Tallahassee Democrat that most of the company's problems have been minor. Company officials also defended their work. 'If it was easy to provide inmate health care, none of our clients would have contracted with us,' said PHS vice president Lawrence Pomeroy. 'I'm proud of our track record.' PHS provides medical, dental, pharmacy and mental health care at 24 county jails in Florida and one state prison. In all, the company cares for about 13,000 inmates in Florida and 200,000 around the country. |
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