Delaware’s prison medical vendor, Correctional Medical Services (CMS) was awarded a $39 million contract renewal earlier this year by Corrections Commissioner Carl Danberg.
If your read today’s News Journal it quickly becomes evident that there are quite a few problem in Delaware prisons and that CMS does not seem to be getting the job done.
That is today’s view. Problems remain. The conditions in our prisons are still sub par. People are still dying.
Sadly, this is not the first time any of the problems with CMS and in our prisons have been made public. In fact, the stories are well documented.
In 2006, The State News ran an article by Joe Rogalsky and Drew Volturo, now in positions with the Markell administration and House Democratic Caucus respectively, that cited criticisms of CMS.
The article points out that CMS’ website bills it as contracting work in correctional facilities in 27 states. I wonder how many of these still retain CMS and am curious as to the conditions in those institutions.
Governor Markell, then Treasurer is cited in the article as calling “for an investigation into the state’s contract with CMS.” He further said that “the state does not appear to be getting its money’s worth.”
More from Markell,
“These deaths are tragic.”
“Letting a contract stand that may have contributed to them without a detailed investigation would be a tragedy as well.”
“The state is spending millions of taxpayers’ dollars on a contract that does not, at face, appear to be delivering on its promises…This is not just a dollars-and-cents issue, it’s a life-and-death issue.”
Right on Governor! Do something about this, you are in the driver’s seat.
But, of course those comments were made in 2006. We are in 2009. Same problems. New Governor. Same old response. Apparently calling for an investigation is the right approach when you are gearing up to run for Governor, but being proactive and leading the charge as Governor, well….we’ve still seen no leadership on the issue.
Whats more, the response these days is far more tepid. From the News Journal article mentioned above, “Gov. Jack Markell, in a statement released by a spokesman, said Danberg will be held accountable.”
“Prison medical care is an important issue, and Commissioner Danberg knows I am holding him accountable for its improvement,” Markell’s statement said. “I am encouraged that the monitor’s report shows the Department of Correction is making progress, but more progress needs to be made in certain areas and I expect the Department to continue to improve.”
Shades of gray at its best. Maybe Vince Meconi stand tackle this one when no contract job expires?
Mike Protack