by Alex Dietz, Civil Rights Attorney at PCVA

The state of healthcare in American prisons and jails has reached a critical point. As someone who regularly represents incarcerated individuals fighting for their basic right to medical care, I’ve witnessed firsthand how our system routinely fails those behind bars. What many don’t realize is that this crisis affects not just those who are convicted, but also pretrial detainees who are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

How Did We Get Here?

The story begins in the 1970s when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that depriving prisoners of medical care violates the Eighth Amendment. This landmark decision sparked the creation of prison healthcare systems nationwide. However, what started as a constitutional mandate has evolved into a profit-driven industry that often prioritizes cost-cutting over human lives.

Today, over 60% of jail medical services are provided by private companies who promise cost savings but deliver substandard care. These corporations, often owned by private equity firms, have found ways to cut costs that directly impact patient care: understaffing, hiring under qualified personnel, limiting outside hospital visits, and delaying necessary treatments.

The Real Cost of Delayed Care

“Healthcare delayed is healthcare denied.” This isn’t just a catchphrase—it’s ...