Penobscot County approves jail medical contract with Alternative Correctional Health Care

Penobscot County commissioners on June 3 unanimously approved a contract awarding jail medical services to Alternative Correctional Health Care, the sheriff recommended.

Sheriff Morton told commissioners his office received three responses to the medical RFP and reviewed them thoroughly. “22, an out of state company, bid just over $5,000,000 which is, nearly double what our current costs are,” Morton said, noting that another bidder had omitted a required section on pharmaceuticals. He said the current provider’s bid was “inclusive” and that the office is “very pleased with them.” Morton said, “my recommendation is that we accept the bid from alternative correctional health care.”

Commissioners moved and seconded the recommendation; the motion passed with a unanimous aye vote from those present.

Why it matters: The sheriff’s office said one out-of-state bid was almost double current costs and a second omitted a required bid section. Keeping the incumbent, the sheriff said, preserves continuity of care and staffing levels at the jail while avoiding the large price increase one bidder proposed.

What commissioners directed next: No further conditions or amendments were recorded; the formal motion to accept Alternative Correctional Health Care was made, seconded and carried. The commission also accepted a copy of a Brewer City Council ordinance relating to a new correctional facility as informational material provided with the packet.

The contract award covers an initial six-month term through the end of the calendar year with two annual options thereafter, as described by the sheriff.