Maryland neglects health care for prisoners in state detention facilities

In Maryland, the audit released by the Office of Legislative Audits revealed significant mismanagement within the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services regarding contracts meant for medical and mental health care for incarcerated individuals. Over a span of five years starting in 2018, findings showed that the state was unable to properly oversee and manage contracts with private companies providing these essential health services. This has resulted in numerous critical issues, including hundreds of missed suicide risk evaluations and major shortages of necessary mental health examinations. The state's average incarcerated population declined by about 18% during this period, while health care costs surged from $120 million to approximately $168.7 million. Auditors attributed part of the failures to understaffing and a fixed fee structure in the contracts that incentivized financial gain for the companies involved rather than ensuring adequate care for the inmates. Notably, one key finding highlighted that registered nurses were paid significantly less than the statewide average, hampering recruitment and retention of qualified staff. The department acknowledged some audit findings while also claiming to have started addressing issues under new contracts. Earlier in 2024, state officials decided to sever ties with YesCare due to growing criticism of the company’s performance and instead partnered with Centurion of Maryland. These new contracts are meant to address some systemic failures by implementing new written procedures and ensuring timely completion of medical and mental health evaluations. Despite attempts to rectify the situation, the audit raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of privatizing prison health care in Maryland and hints at broader implications that reflect a growing trend of outsourcing prisoner health care across the country, often mired in allegations of negligence and malpractice.