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Privatizing State Hospital Forensic Units

The PSCOA firmly believes this privatization effort by
the Rendell administration should be stopped in its tracks!

Statewide Radio Ads

Pennsylvania drops bid to privatize forensic mental-health services
After reaching a cost saving agreement with union leaders, the state plans to end its efforts to privatize and consolidate forensic services in state hospitals serving people with mental illnesses. In a statement prepared for release today, state Department of Public Welfare Secretary Estelle Richman said the agreement maintains quality care and continued employment for forensic center staff while providing savings to Pennsylvania taxpayers. (By Joe Fahy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Privatization & Closing State Hospitals
My name is Percy Poindexter. I am the Vice President of the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association, which is the union for the forensic unit employees in Mayview’s state hospital of Pennsylvania and Department of Public Welfare. I am here today to speak to you about the importance of the psychiatric services provided by hospitals throughout Pennsylvania and to encourage you to pay careful attention to the impact that closing this hospital will have.

Privatization & Closing State Hospitals (Posted Nov 30, 2007)
This letter is in response to your November 1, 2007 written request for additional information regarding the Department of Public Welfare, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) proposal to explore the possibility of privatizing forensic services statewide.

Mayview suspends downsizing in wake of ex-patient's death
State officials have temporarily halted the downsizing of Mayview State Hospital following the recent death of a former patient in a plunge from the Birmingham Bridge. A second ex-patient, released from a Mayview forensic unit, used to evaluate and treat people in the criminal justice system, also was killed recently when he was struck by a train.

Call the Governor's Office in Harrisburg
We are calling on all members, their relatives and friends to call the governor's office in Harrisburg to let them know that you oppose this! Please call the governor's office immediately at (717) 787-2500. When your call is answered please tell them the following:

Write to Rendell
I urge you to immediately stop all efforts by the Department of Public Welfare to privatize the state's secure forensic units for mentally ill criminals. Privatizing these units, which hold some of the state's most dangerous criminals, is a severe misjudgment and reckless gamble with public safety.

PSCOA Statewide Education Campaign
PSCOA is continuing a statewide education campaign to warn Pennsylvanians about an attempt by the Rendell administration to privatize public safety jobs that will put communities at risk.

DPW Proposal to Privatize Forensic Facilities in Pennsylvania
As we all know by now, the Departments of Public Welfare and Mental Health/Substance Abuse have made known their intention to privatize our forensic facilities on the grounds of the three State Hospitals who are Norristown, Mayview, and Warren State Hospital.

DPW Privatization
The Department of Public Welfare’s intention to privatize the care, custody and control of mentally ill criminals is more than just bad public policy – it puts public safety at risk.

HB 1455 - Rapp
Act imposing moratorium on the closure of State mental health & mental retardation facilities; & requiring the Legislative Budget & Finance Cmte to study prevalence of serious mental illness & substance abuse in inmate populations.

Rapp Bill Going Before Committee
A bill calling for a moratorium and further study of future closings of state hospitals and forensic units may come to a committee vote next week.

DPW Privatization in the News

Penn Live.com - State considers privatizing hospital wards for mentally ill criminals.
Rep. Kathy Rapp - DPW Objections and “Reassurances”.
The Tribune-Democrat - Don't privatize mental health care for inmates.
Find Law.com - PSCOA Begins Public Education Campaign on Rendell Administration Plan to Privatize Public Safety Jobs.

Privatization Links

PrivateCI.com - Providing information to help make informed decisions about correctional privatization.

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