Who is responsible for providing medical care to inmates at the Criminal Justice Center at 201 Poplar and what can be done when an inmate is denied proper medical treatment

Shelby County, Tennessee is primarily responsible for ensuring that inmates housed at the Criminal Justice Center at 201 Poplar are provided with proper medical care. Providing medical care to inmates is part of any government’s function. However, as is becoming more and more common, private companies are increasingly contracting with cities and counties to provide medical care for inmates in jails and prisons. Such is the case in Shelby County. For several years, Correct Care Solutions has maintained a multi-million dollar contract with Shelby County, Tennessee to provide medical care to inmates at the Criminal Justice Center, as well as at the Shelby County Correctional Center.

When a private company like Correct Care Solutions agrees to take on the governmental task of providing healthcare to inmates, it is agreeing to perform a governmental function. As such, the private company is deemed to be acting under “color of law” and can be subject to a lawsuit brought under the Civil Rights Act.

This act states that if a govermental actor violates the constitutional rights of an individual, the individual can file a civil lawsuit and collect compensatory damages and attorney’s fees. The fact that a private company may be held responsible, however, does not relieve the county of its responsibilities. County officials must still take steps to ensure the constitutional rights of inmates are being upheld. In addition to Civil Rights violations, private companies and municipalities can also be liable for medical malpractice and ordinary negligence.

Our firm has handled many civil rights lawsuits, including lawsuits against Shelby County and Correct Care Solutions (here and here). To speak with a lawyer call 1-888-470-9143 or fill out a form on our contact page.