Amid concern about health care for inmates in the Santa Barbara County Jail, the County Board of Supervisors will decide next week whether or not to renew a $10 million, two-year contract with the for-profit company Corizon Health Inc.
In June, the supervisors unanimously put the brakes on re-upping the contract after Sheriff’s personnel failed to provide details to their satisfaction about medical services in jail. Supervisor Janet Wolf, who has been outspokenly critical of the Sheriff’s Office, expressed frustration that only a one-page contract summary was provided, and the other four supes agreed.
Activists charged that health care (and mental-health care) in jails is inadequate. They collected letters from inmates complaining about care they receive in a jail known for its crowded conditions. The death of 52-year-old inmate Ray Herrera — who died of internal bleeding from a ruptured spleen due to cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis C, as stated in the coroner’s report — ignited further advocacy. His family retained an attorney to look into the case, and the investigation is ongoing.