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Missouri Department of Corrections Jay Nixon, Governor |
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| Director | Deputy Director | Adult Institutions | Human Services | Probation & Parole | Rehabilitative Services | Missouri Vocational Enterprises |
Health care for offenders is required by Missouri Statute 217.230. It was determined that the 8th and 14th amendments of the U.S. Constitution further established this right.
Offenders enter the Missouri Department of Corrections 10-12 years older physiologically than their counterparts in the community. They have higher incidences of substance abuse, mental health problems, infectious diseases, injuries of violence, lack of previous health care, tobacco abuse, poor dietary habits and a lack of preventive/well-person care. Many have never sought dental care.
The Medical Services Section oversees the comprehensive medical care provided on a contract basis. This is a managed-care system, which stresses health care education, disease prevention, immediate identification of health problems and early intervention to prevent more debilitating chronic health problems. Medical Units are staffed with nurses and physicians who provide care 24-hours per day at every correctional center. Medical Units provide care which ranges from regular sick call to Transitional Care Unit admission. Many sites have x-ray equipment and all draw blood work for laboratory analysis. Dental care is also available at all sites. Optometric care, oral surgery, audiology, physical therapy,and ear, nose, throat clinics are available at selected sites. Minor surgical procedures can be performed at all locations. All facilities utilize community hospitals for emergency care, consultation and in-patient treatment. Consultation agreements are also in place with community specialists. Mammography is provided at the Women's Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center.
The Division of Offender Rehabilitative Services' contract monitoring staff ensure that offenders receive medical care that is equivalent to the community standard and that all mandates of the contract are fulfilled.
The goal is to return offenders to the community as medically stable as possible, so they may become productive citizens of the state.
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