Controller to audit health services at county jail

Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner plans to audit the contract between the county and Corizon Health Inc., which began running the Allegheny County Jail infirmary just six months ago, her office has announced.

Ms. Wagner sent a letter dated Friday to Orlando Harper, the jail warden, and Woodrow A. Myers Jr., the CEO of Corizon, notifying them that the audit will be under way within the next two weeks.

It follows a letter sent by Ms. Wagner earlier in February to Dr. Myers, who leads the Tennessee-based jail health care provider, saying she had “grave and serious concerns” about health care and working conditions at the jail, particularly staffing levels and distribution of medication to inmates.

Brad Korinski, chief legal counsel for the controller’s office, said Corizon had replied to the earlier letter, but did not sufficiently address issues Ms. Wagner raised. In a statement Friday announcing the audit, Ms. Wagner said she remains concerned about the situation at the jail.

“I’ve raised these concerns publicly, including at the jail advisory board and in writing to Corizon,” Ms. Wagner said. “Yet, the responses to my questions have likewise been substandard and certainly not what I would expect from an entity that receives more than $11 million in taxpayer money annually.”

Corizon, which is a national prison health care provider, signed a contract with the county last summer that pays $11.5 million for the first year. Its management of health services at the jail began Sept. 1.

County officials have acknowledged problems. Asked by a county council member about Corizon at a committee meeting earlier last month, county manager William McKain said the transition “has been challenging,” but that county officials are meeting daily with Corizon leaders.

Also in February, members of the medical staff voted to unionize under the United Steelworkers. So far, the county has paid Corizon about $5.5 million, Mr. Korinski said. He expects the controller’s audit to take 90 to 100 days.

“We welcome audits of any department that result in recommendations that add value, are measurable and improve our county operations,” county spokeswoman Amie Downs said in a statement. “This contract just was entered into in September of 2013, so it may be difficult to measure its compliance with such a short window being available for review, but we look forward to the results.”

Corizon spokeswoman Susan Morgenstern confirmed that the company received Ms. Wagner’s letter.

“It’s important to note that we are working in close partnership with the county and jail leadership to fulfill our mission,” she said in a statement. “Our focus remains on supporting our staff who provide quality care to patients in the jail every day.”