Allegheny County Jail inmates now under care of Allegheny Health Network doctors

PITTSBURGH — Allegheny County took over medical care at the Allegheny County Jail Tuesday after terminating its contract with Corizon Health, according to Channel 11's news exchange partners at TribLIVE.

While many nurses and other members of the medical staff who care for inmates will stay, County Manager William McKain said that he felt new management and partnerships would allow prisoners to have access to better care.

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The county has been preparing to take over medical care at the jail since it was announced in May that the contract with Corizon would be terminated.

Corizon’s care of inmates has been heavily criticized. Eleven inmates died during the two-year contract.

According to TribLIVE, the county paid Corizon about $12 million a year. It will take about $2 million to $3 million for the county to manage medical care, McKain said.

Allegheny Health Network will provide three full-time physicians, two full-time psychologists, nurse practitioners and physician and psychologist assistants as part of a contract that will cost the county $4 million per year.

In addition, a doctor will provide prenatal and women’s health care once a week, and HIV and other infectious disease care will be available on a monthly basis.

If an inmate needs emergency care beyond what the jail is able to provide, they will be taken to Allegheny General Hospital and will have access to all facilities and services.

Dr. Bill Jonjulio, chair of family medicine for Allegheny Health Network, told TribLIVE that the jail will be treated like any other outpatient facility.

WPXI