NCJ Number
80414
Date Published
1981
Length
136 pages
Annotation
Site visits to 13 New York State correctional facilities and analyses of 379 inmates' medical records indicated that inmate health care is inadequate when measured against nationally accepted standards.
Abstract
The Commission found that although the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), generally provided health services for all facilities, it did not always perform an evaluation of each inmate's physical, mental, and emotional condition required upon entrance into the system and inmates were not always aware of available health services. The majority of inmates did not use health services, while 18 percent drew heavily on these resources. Mental health services were limited or unavailable in several facilities, and no special program existed for retarded or developmentally disabled inmates despite statutory provision for this treatment. Because many health care positions were vacant, inmates sometimes provided health care services, contrary to national standards. Additional problems concerned medical recordkeeping practices, case management, and the requirement for regular physical examinations. Furthermore, the State's 5-year old medical fee schedule impeded the establishment of specialty clinics at correctional facilities. The Commission also assessed the roles and effectiveness of five agencies sharing responsibility for inmate health care programs: DCS, Office of Mental Health, Commission of Correction, Department of Health, and Department of Education. It concluded that the fragmented system itself was a barrier to effective overall administration. Difficulties in information systems, planning and budgeting procedures, interagency coordination, and the result and evaluations are described. The Commission details expenditures for inmate health care and presents suggestions to improving financial management, systems administration, and efficiency. Tables and footnotes are included. The appendixes contain lists of correctional facilities, agencies, and persons contacted for the review, a description of audit methods, and comments from State agencies on the report.