Armor Correctional Health Services

Armor Correctional Health Services (Armor Health): Overview

Armor Health is a physician-owned company providing comprehensive healthcare services within U.S. correctional facilities. Their services address the unique medical, mental health, and support needs of incarcerated populations, encompassing:

1. Comprehensive Medical Care
   • Initial health screenings at booking
   • Chronic care management (e.g., diabetes, hypertension)
   • Sick call services for daily medical requests
   • Emergency medical response on-site
2. Behavioral and Mental Health Services
   • Mental health screenings upon intake
   • Individual/group counseling
   • Psychotropic medication management
   • Crisis intervention for acute episodes
3. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
   • Continuation of MAT programs from the community
   • MAT initiation during incarceration
   • Discharge planning linking to community MAT services
4. Telehealth Services
   • Remote medical specialist consultations
   • Virtual behavioral health counseling
5. Discharge Planning and Transitional Care
   • Community healthcare and support linkages
   • Medication coordination post-release
   • Education on disease management and lifestyle
6. Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Data Analytics
   • Comprehensive patient documentation
   • Health trend analysis for quality improvement
   • Compliance with standards from NCCHC and ACA
7. Pharmacy Management
   • Medication dispensing and inventory control
   • Regulatory compliance with medication laws
8. Accreditation and Quality Assurance
   • Authorized by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC)
   • Compliant with American Correctional Association (ACA) standards

Armor Correctional Health Services, also known as Armor Health, is a physician-owned company specializing in providing comprehensive healthcare services within correctional facilities across the United States. Their offerings encompass a wide range of medical, mental health, and support services tailored to meet the unique needs of incarcerated populations.

National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC): Ensuring quality healthcare delivery.

• American Correctional Association (ACA): Maintaining operational excellence.

Achieving accreditation demonstrates a commitment to high-quality care and continuous improvement.

Armor Correctional Health Services: A Decade of Legal Turmoil and Systemic Failures

Armor Correctional Health Services, a private healthcare provider for correctional facilities, has faced extensive legal scrutiny over the past decade. The company has been implicated in numerous lawsuits alleging medical negligence, wrongful deaths, and systemic failures in inmate healthcare. These legal challenges have not only tarnished Armor’s reputation but have also sparked broader debates about the privatization of correctional healthcare in the United States.

A Pattern of Negligence and Legal Challenges

Armor has been the subject of over 570 lawsuits, encompassing claims of medical malpractice, wrongful deaths, and constitutional rights violations. One notable case in 2023 resulted in a $16 million verdict against the company for the death of an inmate who succumbed to untreated pneumonia. Although a Florida court later reduced the punitive damages, the case underscored the severe consequences of inadequate medical care in correctional settings.

In another significant case, the family of Terrill Thomas, a patient who died of dehydration after being denied water for seven days in a Milwaukee jail, received a $950,000 settlement. Internal documents revealed that Armor staff were aware of the water shutoff but failed to intervene, highlighting systemic neglect.

Criminal Charges and Contract Terminations

The gravity of Armor’s alleged misconduct led to criminal charges in Wisconsin, where the company was accused of intentionally falsifying inmate healthcare records. Such prosecutions of corporate entities are rare, indicating the severity of the allegations.

These controversies prompted several jurisdictions to reevaluate their contracts with Armor. For instance, Nassau County in New York imposed a $350,000 fine on the company and eventually transitioned to a new medical provider. Similarly, Florida’s Duval County continued its contract with Armor despite numerous lawsuits and inmate deaths, raising concerns about accountability and oversight.

Broader Implications for Correctional Healthcare

The legal challenges admitted by Armor Correctional Health Services reflect systemic issues within the U.S. correctional healthcare system. The reliance on private, for-profit companies to provide medical care to inmates often leads to cost-cutting measures that compromise patient care. Cases like that of Mary Faith Casey, who died from starvation and neglect in a Pima County jail, underscore the dire consequences of inadequate healthcare in correctional facilities.

These incidents have fueled debates about the ethics and efficacy of privatizing correctional healthcare. Critics argue that profit motives can conflict with the provision of adequate medical care, leading to preventable deaths and suffering among incarcerated individuals.

Conclusion

The extensive legal history of Armor Correctional Health Services provides a cautionary tale about the perils of privatizing essential services in correctional facilities. The company’s numerous lawsuits and settlements highlight the need for robust oversight, transparency, and accountability in the provision of inmate healthcare. As the debate over the role of private companies in correctional healthcare continues, the experiences with Armor underscore the importance of prioritizing the health and well-being of incarcerated individuals over profit margins.