NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has filed a lawsuit against Armor Correctional Health Medical Services (Armor) for allegedly failing to provide proper medical services to inmates in Nassau County as mandated by its contract with Nassau County Correctional Center (NCCC).
“Prison inmates rely on companies providing health services for a wide range of medical issues, many of which have gone untreated,” Schneiderman said. “Those struggling with chronic diseases, mental health and substance abuse problems deserve comprehensive, reliable and high-quality medical care.”
Since Armor contracted with NCCC in 2011, 12 inmates have died in custody. Schneiderman believes the organization either failed to perform or egregiously under-performed in its obligations. Armor purportedly failed to timely respond to requests for medical assistance from inmates, provide required reports about its assessment of inmates, provide access to medications and give timely diagnostic services.
Schneiderman’s office will seek an independent monitor to over see contract compliance and a ban on Armor bidding for future health service contracts in New York state.
“Failing to provide proper health services as required is completely unacceptable,” Schneiderman said. “Neglecting the duty to provide adequate care not only defrauds taxpayers, it compromises the health and safety of inmates, with sometimes fatal consequences.”