Broome Delays Contract For Jail Doctors

Broome County lawmakers are putting off a decision on a contract extention with the firm that provides medical care at the county jail. The delay comes as New York State investigates the Pennsylvania based Correctional Medical Care Incorporated.

The New York State Commission of Corrections had placed some level of fault on CMC in connection with the deaths of some county jail inmates between 2009 and 2011.  That includes the 2011 death of Broome County Jail inmate, Alvin Rios.  The review of that case reported Rios was "left in life-threatening status without appropriate medical attention."  The man's family is suing the county and CMC.

The Broome County Legislature was scheduled to vote on a 3 year contract renewal with CMC April 19th, but the action was held over.

CMC has been providing medical services at the Broome County Correctional Facility since 2006.

The current $8.6 million contract extention that was approved in 2010 is due to expire at the end of the year.