A study of prisoner medical care in Maine's correctional system found widespread problems with the quality of care and record keeping in the state's prisons, reports the Capitol News Service. Among the findings was that medications often were not administered or recorded properly, that medical records were not complete or maintained and that annual mandatory health exams were not done consistently.
The study also concluded that the response to sick calls often took too long and many times were documented inadequately. The report faulted the Department of Corrections for not adequately monitoring the contractors providing health care services, the lack of cost controls on contracts and the lack of adequate staff training. Corrections Commissioner Joseph Ponte said he is addressing many problems with prisoner medical care, which he acknowledges is a significant burden on his budget. Among his concerns were contracts that have been in place for nine years with a single provider.