(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that a private, two-year settlement agreement has been reached in regards to ongoing improvements to medical care for prison inmates in Ohio.
In response to the agreement between the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) and Ohio Justice and Policy Center (OJPC), United States District Court Judge Sandra Beckwith terminated a Stipulation for Injunctive Relief, which ends the Court's jurisdiction over the case.
"Now that this case is closed, it shows how far the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has come in improving medical care to its inmates," said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.
The Stipulation for Injunctive Relief went into effect in 2005 after OJPC filed a 2003 lawsuit on behalf of Ohio prison inmates alleging the State of Ohio failed to provide medical care within the constitutional requirements of the Eighth Amendment. A medical oversight committee was formed to oversee the ODRC's efforts to improve inmate medical and dental care.
A report compiled by the oversight committee in July 2012 found that the ODRC was constitutionally compliant after making a multitude of changes through the years that have contributed to the better overall health of inmates in Ohio.
"We are pleased to learn that the court has recognized the hard work and dedication of our staff in providing quality patient-care for those under our supervision," said Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Director Gary C. Mohr. "The decision finds that we have made notable improvements in medical care. While we agree with the court's decision, we are not stopping in our tracks. Our goal is simply continue improving the delivery of services with a holistic approach to medical care."
As part of the private agreement, the ODRC and OJPC agreed to continue to collaborate over the next two years to evaluate and upgrade the prisons' medical policies and procedures as necessary.
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