Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

                                               NEWS RELEASE                                                  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                   SEPTEMBER 29, 2003

DRC Hires Expert to Review Quality of Health Care in Ohio’s Prisons

(Columbus)– Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) Director Reginald A. Wilkinson today announced that Dr. Steven S. Spencer of New Mexico, an independent consultant in correctional health care, will immediately undertake a review of the Department’s policies and procedures in delivering quality health care.

“We are working hard to ensure quality health services in our prisons,” said Director Wilkinson.  “We are pleased to have Dr. Spencer on the team—he is a nationally known expert in the correctional health care field.”

Dr. Spencer has served as the Medical Director for the New Mexico Department of Corrections, a Research Assistant Professor of Forensic Medicine at Louisiana State University, as well as a court expert and consultant.  His first on-site visit will be on October 15, 2003.

Earlier this month, Governor Taft instructed DRC to hire an outside consultant and form an internal committee to recommend changes that could enhance the quality of health care at Ohio prisons.  The internal review team has met three times and has conducted interviews with physicians, nurses, health care administrators and deputy wardens.  The committee will submit their report by the end of the year.

For more information, please contact the DRC Public Information Office at (614) 752-1150.