U.S. Marshals blamed for poor prisoner health care

[Judi Lynn]

Posted 2/23/2004 12:04 PM Updated 2/23/2004 3:14 PM

U.S. Marshals blamed for poor prisoner health care

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Marshals Service does a poor job of providing medical services to thousands of federal prisoners and does not adequately track those with communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, auditors reported Monday.

In addition, the marshals pay an estimated $7 million a year more for outside medical care than is necessary, according to the audit by Justice Department Inspector General Glenn A. Fine.

The Marshals Service has custody of about 40,000 prisoners awaiting trial on federal charges, sometimes for days, weeks or even years. That number represents an increase of 53% compared with five years ago, said agency chief Benigno Reyna in a letter to Fine.

Reyna agreed with the audit's findings that prisoner health care should be a high priority but added that "increases in workload make this problematic" unless Congress approves requested staff increases.
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http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-02-23-prisoner-medical-care_x.htm

[NashVegas]

1. Dear Mr. Skilling

I hope you and your friend Kenny-boy have up to date medical insurance policies.

[TacticalPeek]

2. ROFLMAO!

Won't help 'em inside though.