Health care provider severs ties with Mississippi prisons after Jay Z and Yo Gotti lawsuit
A health care provider has terminated its multimillion-dollar relationship with the Mississippi Department of Corrections. The provider, Centurion, faces a lawsuit, and allegations of negligence along with the department itself.
The announcement comes after Team Roc, the philanthropic arm of Jay Z's company, Roc Nation, and rapper Yo Gotti teamed up to hire lawyers for 227 Mississippi inmates over conditions in the prison.
Centurion, part of the Centene Corporation, said in a July 7 letter to the department, obtained by CBS affiliate WJTV, that it was terminating its relationship, effective October 5, 2020.
"As we previously shared, we do not believe we can further improve the effectiveness of our level of care without additional investment from the Department in correctional staffing and infrastructure along the lines of what we have already recommended," wrote Steven H. Wheeler, CEO of Centurion.
Marcy Croft, the lead attorney for Team Roc, said she hopes Centurion's decision to end the relationship "sends a clear message to Governor Tate Reeves — it's time to invest in the health and well-being of the people in your prisons."
"There is no excuse for the 53 deaths across the Mississippi prison system over the past several months, many of which were preventable," Croft said in a statement. "We will not stop until the incarcerated receive consistent and competent medical care, especially now with the COVID-19 crisis. This must be a priority."
Violence, understaffing and a deteriorating infrastructure have plagued Mississippi's prison system. Over 50 people have died in state facilities since December 29, a figure that includes suicides, homicides and cases that were classified as "natural deaths." The suit claims the plaintiffs' lives are in peril while inside.
A doctor hired by lawyers suing Mississippi said the conditions at the state penitentiary are the worst he's seen at any jail. Dr. Marc Stern, who specializes in correctional health care and has evaluated dozens of similar facilities across the country, said he witnessed exposed electrical wiring inside Parchman — one of the state's prisons — some of it near standing water.
"The conditions under which residents exist in Parchman are sub-human and deplorable in a civilized society," Stern said.
The attorneys also claim there was a lack of COVID-19 testing protocol or medical attention for the inmates, as well as a lack of social distancing protocols and personal protection equipment.
According to Centene's website, the company "provides correctional healthcare and staffing services to government agencies" in 17 states. "By combining sound financial discipline with the delivery of appropriate care, Centurion is gaining recognition among states as a top correctional healthcare provider," reads the website.
Justin Carissimo contributed reporting.