Friday, October 2, 2009

Prison Health company pulling out of Vermont

The private company that provides medical services to Vermont's prisons is pulling out, and the head of the state Department of Corrections says he's looking forward to their departure. Prison Health Services announced earlier this month that after four years, it would not seek to renew its contract when it expires at the end of the year. Corrections Commissioner Andrew Pallito said it's probably no coincidence that the announcement comes just after the death of Vermont inmate Ashley Ellis. The Medical Examiner concluded her death was complicated by a denial of access to medication at the state jail in Swanton. Prison Health Services hasn't been implicated of any wrongdoing so far, but an investigation found a nurse ordered to give Ellis potassium for an eating disorder failed to do so.