The minutes of March 5 were approved on motion of Mrs. Bronz, seconded by Mrs. Stewart-Cousins.

Commissioner Stancari gave a summary on privatization of services at the correctional facility, stating that the decision to privatize was totally budget-driven, and that there was no dissatisfaction with the quality of services provided by the medical center, but that they were too expensive.

A Managed Care system is in place, whereby instead of services on demand, a health care professional makes the decisions of what medical services are necessary.

With this system, the Department of Corrections expects to save between ten and eleven million dollars over a two-year period for medical services.

Mrs. Stewart-Cousins wanted to know the difference between services on demand

and Managed Care, and Commissioner Stancari’s response was that the need for

medical services is determined by health care professionals, not just because an inmate wants to see a doctor. A nurse or doctor triage the need and assign people to the service that is required.

Mrs. LaMotte wanted to know the procedure required for an inmate to see a doctor and Commissioner Stancari said that there are referral slips in all of the housing units. The inmate fills out the form, which is then transferred to Medical Services, where the form is reviewed by a triage nurse, who handles the referral. In emergency cases, the inmate is treated immediately. The correction officer on the cell block does an evaluation and determines if it is an emergency.

In response to Chairman Stewart-Cousins inquiry about an inmate with a hand bite

Commissioner Stancari gave a breakdown of the medical treatment he received, saying that he was given all the medical treatment that was required, even more than the average person would have gotten.

Mrs. Stewart-Cousins wanted to know who was monitoring the Managed Care program, and Commissioner Stancari said that part of the department’s funding included a monitor, who is a registered nurse, with a good background in utilization review. The Commissioner also said that an inmate would receive medical care sooner than normal, within 16 hours at most.

Mr. Wishnie had some concerns:

1. Because it’s in the best interest of the company supplying the health

care to have less visits than may have been available in prior times,

there may be occasions when a nurse decides not to refer an inmate

to a doctor, when in fact he does need to see one.

2. Lack of quality food and decent health care could cause disruptions,

which may in turn endanger our correction officers.

Mrs. Stewart-Cousins asked what areas needed improvement in the care of inmates and the commissioner said some issues at the medical center, such as diagnostic and specialty clinics and specialty treatments such as MRI’s, CAT Scan, etc., but that those issues have been resolved, and that the medical center will provide these services under contract.

Mrs. LaMotte said that some people going to the medical center were concerned about coming into contact with prisoners in the hallways and in restraints and the commissioner said that there would be less visibility and a reduction of inmate contact with the public.

(Chairman Darcy opened the Public Safety meeting at 2:35)

There was a discussion on identifying and treating infectious diseases such as AIDS

hepatitis, and tuberculosis. Commissioner Stancari said all inmates are tested and the health care provider determines if they need to be isolated.

Mr. Wishnie wanted to know the statistics on HIV positive and TB positive inmates

whether they are isolated, and the average stay of inmates and Commissioner Stancari said that AIDS information is confidential and that the average stay is 55 days. AIDS patients may be isolated in the hospital or in the jail infirmary.

Mr. Darcy wanted to know how the correctional facility could develop a program to treat AIDS patients without statistics and Commissioner Stancari said they assume that every inmate has HIV, and take standard precautions accordingly.

After further discussion, Chairman Stewart-Cousins thanked the commissioner and his staff and asked for a quarterly report.

Mrs. Swanson suggested the commissioner send a report at the end of the second quarter.

Mr. Wishnie asked Commissioner Stancari if both committees could visit the correctional facility to observe both food services and health care and he said he would welcome the visit. No date was set.

Mrs. Stewart-Cousins asked Lynne to ask Gina Angiulo to set up a luncheon appointment at the Medical Center with Commissioner Stolzenberg, possibly for

the first or second Tuesday in April.

On motion of Mr. Darcy and seconded by Mr. Wishnie the meeting of Public Safety and Criminal Justice was adjourned at 3:00 PM.

On motion of Mrs. Stewart-Cousins and seconded by Mrs. LaMotte, the meeting was adjourned at 3:00 P.M.