Medical Services delivers quality, cost-effective health care services to adult offenders in all state correctional facilities. The DOC continually explores new ways of providing health care services more efficiently within state correctional facilities to be recognized nationally as a leader in the delivery of quality correctional health care.

State correctional facilities have out-patient clinical areas designed to treat a majority of patients health care needs. When an offender requires care that is beyond the capacity provided in the correctional facility, the offender is transported to a nearby hospital, or the closest facility equipped to provide the specialized care needed.

Telehealth services are provided through a contracted partner to provide specialty care to offenders. This allows the partner’s vast network of specialty providers to connect with offenders remotely, while on-site clinical staff use state-of-the-art equipment to capture data requested by the provider.

Chronic health conditions generally require higher levels of need by patients. This includes cardiac, cancer/oncology, hematology, endocrine, gastrointestinal, neurological, renal, respiratory, rheumatology and special needs such as hearing impairment and blindness.

Dental care is provided at each state correctional facility. Dental services include intake screening and assessments, emergency and routine procedures, examinations, restorative work, dentures, deep and routine cleanings, and root canals.

DOC also provides optometry care at each facility.

Vaccinations are a preventative care service provided to offenders during the admissions process and are continued as needed through an offender’s incarceration based on need and risk factors.

Offenders diagnosed with Hepatitis C are offered treatment and education on healthy lifestyles.

Behavioral Health services provide quality mental health and substance use disorder services to offenders, utilizing evidence-based practices to maximize opportunities for rehabilitation and recovery.

Behavioral health services provide group and individual therapy; intake screenings; comprehensive assessments and evaluations; crisis management and evaluation; treatment plan development; and
discharge planning.

Mental health screenings are completed for all offenders at intake. If the screening indicates a higher level of mental health needs, the offender is referred for a comprehensive mental health assessment.

At intake, all offenders are assessed for substance use disorder. More than 9 out of 10 offenders assessed are identified as having a substance use disorder.

DOC utilizes the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5^th edition for purposes of coding, assessment, and diagnosis of serious mental illness. Offenders who are assessed with a high level of mental health care needs are provided more intensive supervision and treatment.

Offenders who are diagnosed with Severe or Moderate Opioid Use Disorder may be treated through Medical Assisted Therapy (MAT) services. These services are being expanded.

Behavioral health services provide behavioral health and sex offender treatment to maximize opportunities for rehabilitation, recovery and success following release from incarceration. Behavioral health treatment programming is available at every state correctional facility. Sex offender treatment is available at the State Penitentiary, Jameson Prison Annex, Mike Durfee State Prison and the Women’s Prison.