Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2005
Governor Minner Issues Statement on Delaware Department of Correction
Dover – Governor Ruth Ann Minner is releasing the following statement in response to recent media reports on the medical care for inmates in the Delaware Department of Correction. This response comes after a thorough review of the articles, which contain a number of factual errors and misrepresentations addressed in a response from Department of Correction Commissioner Stan Taylor to The News Journal. Neither that response, nor a correction has yet appeared in The News Journal.
“Commissioner Taylor has worked very hard in recent years to improve the health care provided to inmates in Delaware prisons. The funding for this service has doubled over the past five years, despite tight economic times, and the Department has been diligent monitoring the quality of care for a very difficult and demanding population.
Last year alone, the Department processed more than 20,000 inmates, many receiving medical diagnosis and treatment as part of their incarceration and prior to their returning to the community. Like any program, there are areas we would like to improve, and the Commissioner has repeatedly said that. But to say the system is in crisis is not only wrong, but irresponsible.
Unfortunately, recent media reports have only provided one side of many of these more difficult medical cases, something we are prohibited by federal law from correcting, painting a misleading picture of this system. Rest assured, however, that I will continue working with Commissioner Taylor to provide a corrections system that protects the safety and security of our citizens while providing quality, humane treatment and care for offenders.”
