The Nashville-based company that provides health and dental care for the 1,000 inmates at the Jackson County Detention Center has told the county it is pulling out of its three-year contract early.
The county's $3.2 million yearly contract with Correct Care Solutions (CCS) was supposed to run through June 2019. But according to a joint statement, the company told Jackson County last month that it was using an option in the contract to end the relationship early.
No details were given in the joint statement.
"The decision in no way reflects the professionalism and positive partnership Correct Care Solutions has experienced with Jackson County’s team and leadership," the statement says. "Jackson County is moving forward by engaging in a competitive bid process to continue to serve its community at the highest standard.”
The county received a letter from CCS terminating the contract in July. It isn't clear when the county received the letter, but a request for proposal (RFP) was issued by Jackson County's purchasing department on March 26. The RFP calls for a three-year contract with options for two more.
Both the jail and CCS have had plenty of troubles.
CCS, the United States' largest provider of health care for inmates, has been sued several times in federal court. CCS also is the sole bidder to operate the Osawatomie State Hospital in Kansas, a mental heath facility.
And the Jackson County jail was deemed to be in crisis last year by a consultant that was hired by the county. County Executive Frank White established a task force last year to decide if a new jail is needed and, if so, how big. The task force's next meeting is April 20.
Sam Zeff is KCUR's Metro Reporter. You can follow Sam on Twitter: @samzeff
