State picks prison health service
$643 million contract goes to company facing lawsuits
NIKI KELLY | The Journal Gazette
INDIANAPOLIS – A new $643 million state contract for prison medical services is the most expensive proposal from four vendors vying to provide the services.
The four-year contract was awarded to Centurion Health of Indiana LLC, at a cost of about $160 million a year. Centurion – and its parent company Centene Corp. – is also embroiled in several controversies and lawsuits, including an allegation of a rigged contract in Tennessee and substandard care in Mississippi.
The departing vendor, Wexford of Indiana LLC, bid about $30 million less a year but Department of Correction Chief Communications Officer Annie Goeller said price is only one factor considered.
Wyatt Emmerich: State has prison leaders focusing on rehabilitation
By Wyatt Emmerich 4 hours ago
Wyatt Emmerich
After hearing Bradley Lum speak to our Rotary Club, I was so pumped.
I could see a path to reforming our prison system in Mississippi, something we desperately need to achieve if our state is to move forward.
From the get go, I supported Gov. Tate Reeves’ appointment of Burl Cain to be the new head of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. (MDOC). After a lengthy meeting with Cain in my office, I was even more convinced.
Since then, Cain has been relentlessly moving MDOC in the right direction a direction of rehabilitation instead of resignation.
4 arrested on various felony charges in Hattiesburg, Forrest County Wednesday From left to right: Cindy Ramirez, Kelcey Gray, Virnell Adams and Barrent Lyles. (Source: Forrest County Sheriff s Office) By Renaldo Hopkins | May 7, 2021 at 11:08 AM CDT - Updated May 7 at 8:22 PM
FORREST COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) - Four people were arrested on various felony charges in parts of Hattiesburg and Forrest County Wednesday.
According to the 12th Circuit Court Narcotics Enforcement Team (Metro Narcotics), four suspects were arrested, including:
Cindy Ramirez, 53, of Laurel was arrested in the 200 block of U.S. Highway 49, and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
Felonies
The following people were booked into the Lee County-Tupelo Adult Jail in connection with felony charges ending Thursday at 11 a.m.
Davis Farr, 28, of Okolona, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffâs Office, trafficking of marijuana.
Jessica Lavender, 36, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Mississippi Highway Patrol, possession of methamphetamine.
Twaino Moss, 21, of Columbus, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffâs Office,. possession of a controlled substance.
Bradley Owens, 30, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle.
Rebecca Shiers, 28, of Fulton, was arrested by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, violation of probation.
Bloody clashes that brought Mississippi’s prison system under federal scrutiny last year were part of a dramatic increase in reported cases of violence behind bars.The Mississippi Department of Corrections logged