INMATE HEALTH CARE
Memorandum of Agreement between the United States Department of Justice and the State of Delaware regarding medical and mental health care services
On December 29, 2006, the US Department of Justice and the State of Delaware "...entered into a Memorandum of Agreement for the purpose of utilizing resources in support of improving medical and mental health care at the Facilities, rather than allocating resources to the risks and burdens of litigation."
The Memorandum of Agreement specifically addresses medical and mental health care at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution, the Delores J. Baylor Correctional Institution, the Delaware Correctional Center and the Sussex Correctional Institution.
The Agreement covers operations and services in areas such as policy and procedure, recordkeeping, medication and laboratory orders, staffing and training, screening and treatment, access to care, chronic disease care, medication, emergency care, mental health care, suicide prevention, and quality assurance.
The Agreement requires the Department of Correction to develop a comprehensive action plan which identifies the specific measures the State intends to accomplish in order to bring facilities into compliance. Upon approval by the DOJ, the State must submit it's first compliance report within 90 days and then every six months thereafter. Delaware DOC Action Plan
The Agreement requires the State and the DOJ to select a Monitor whose duties and responsibilities are to review and report on the State's implementation of and assist with the State's compliance with the Agreement.
