FRANKLIN, TN, UNITED STATES, August 31, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Fatalities in custody and lags in medical care across Texas and California are drawing renewed scrutiny to health services within county jails.
This month in Bexar County, Texas, authorities approved earlier health assessments after reports indicated 92 individuals have died at the facility since 2020[1], with county records showing 39 of those deaths occurred within a week of intake.[2] In Los Angeles County, 46 individuals lost their lives while incarcerated in 2025, and recent investigations revealed that some inmates endured weeks or even months before receiving medication-assisted treatment.[3]
As county officials grapple with these outcomes, fresh data offers another metric for assessing how jail medical care is provided. A national study featured in the Journal of Correctional Health Care, the official publication of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC), determined that privately operated correctional healthcare models had lower average mortality rates compared to county-run systems. The research reviewed jail mortality figures and healthcare provider details from 287 counties spanning 43 states over the 2019–2024 period.[4]
“County leaders ought to be asking a straightforward yet essential question: which model is better equipped to help those in their custody get timely and effective care?” stated Jessica Young, President and CEO of Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc. (ACH). “The debate shouldn’t center on public versus private. It should center on appropriate care and saving lives.”
Researchers discovered that specialized healthcare providers can deliver clinical infrastructure, staffing resources, and coordination that individual counties may find challenging to sustain. They also urged stronger benchmarks and more precise definitions for reporting correctional deaths, giving county officials added incentive to evaluate their healthcare delivery models through the lens of measurable results.[4]
For a deeper dive into the study and its potential implications for the future of correctional healthcare, read Special Report: New Data Shows Private Jail Healthcare May Save Lives.
About Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc.:
Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc. is a family-owned, values-driven contract management company delivering ethical, comprehensive services tailored to populations across the country. ACH has earned two Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics, been recognized at Music City's Community Choice Awards for having the Best Employee Recognition Program, and been named “Best Hospital & Health Care Business of the Year” in the Global 100 Awards for 2025 and 2026. In 2026, ACH also received certification as a Great Place to Work for the 11th consecutive year. In 2025, ACH saved more than $16.8 million in taxpayer dollars through bill scrubbing. From 2020 to 2025, over 102% of contracted nursing hours were fulfilled nationwide, and more than 131 patient lives were saved. Learn more at advancedch.com.
Sources:
[1] Pink, Saul. “Bexar County plans earlier medical screenings at jail in response to deaths.” San Antonio Express-News, Aug. 4, 2026.
[2] Medel, Diego. “Bexar County advances jail reforms with earlier medical screenings, new public dashboard.” San Antonio Report, Aug. 10, 2026.
[3] Quinton, Gavin J. “Overdoses in L.A. jails are fueled by long waits for drug addiction treatment, staffers say.” Los Angeles Times, June 19, 2026.
[4] Harris, Liz, and William Dennis. “Limits of Correctional Health Reporting: Findings From a Nationwide Jail Mortality Survey (2019–2024).” Journal of Correctional Health Care, 32(4), 240–246, 2026. doi:10.1177/10783458261425158.
Marketing Department
Advanced Correctional Healthcare
+1 309-272-3430
marketing@advancedch.com
