BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — CBS2 has been hearing from viewers concerned about the health treatment of inmates at Idaho's maximum-security prison are receiving.
Viewers told us some family members are receiving some of their prescription medications late.
On Tuesday, we received a statement from the provider, Centurion, which reads in part -- like many healthcare settings across the country, Centurion has experienced challenges in recruiting staff during the pandemic, on top of the difficult task of recruiting caregivers to serve in the unique setting within a correctional facility.
But CBS2 had additional questions for the Idaho Department of Correction. Here's a word-for-word question and answer exchange from a spokesperson.
Q: How many complaints has IDOC received about healthcare being provided by Centurion?
A: From Oct. 1, 2021, through Feb 28, 2022, residents filed 437 health-care-related grievances. For the same period the year before, residents filed 433 health-care-related grievances.
Q: What type of monitoring is IDOC doing to ensure inmates are receiving the healthcare they need? Is IDOC investigating the healthcare treatment being provided to inmates?
A: We have been working diligently with Centurion during this unprecedented time. Members of IDOC’s Health Services team have been auditing Centurion’s performance for compliance with the standards set by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. Our health services team has also been reviewing patient records, observing how Centurion staff provide treatment to residents, and investigating every complaint made by a resident or family member. We have also been working with Centurion on a management level. Representatives of IDOC’s Division of Management Services meet weekly with Centurion’s regional administrators to seek innovative solutions to emergent problems.
Q: How long is the contract with Centurion and how were they selected to provide services?
A: The contract is a five-year agreement. It began on Oct. 1, 2021. It includes up to 10 years of renewal options. Centurion was selected via the State of Idaho’s RFP process. Each vendor was evaluated on a variety of factors. Those factors included the vendors’ experience providing health care in a correctional setting and their ability to deliver care in a humane and professional manner. The types of care included emergency care, chronic care, long-term care, mental health care and obstetrics, among others. Additionally, the vendors were evaluated on their ability to maintain medical records in electronic form, and their ability to provide pharmaceutical, dental, optical and audiology services.
Q: What message does IDOC have for family members of inmates concerned about the healthcare they are being provided.
A: We care about the health of everyone sentenced to our custody. We also know that improved health outcomes lead to improved public safety outcomes. While we are not immune to the same pressures that have impacted the delivery of healthcare services in the community, we are committed to working with our contract medical provider to ensure appropriate and timely health care.
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