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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | May 28, 2013 01:59 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Timothy J. Solobay |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Department of Corrections Psychological Services Privatization |
| In the near future, I will introduce legislation to prohibit the outsourcing of psychological services provided within our state correctional facilities. I believe this work must remain public for the following reasons: These psychological services jobs are filled through our State Civil Service testing system. This selection process would not be available if the work is done privately. Psychological Services employees work on the cellblocks with corrections officers, nurses and others. They are part of a comprehensive in-house system of safety and security that allows us to operate our already overburdened prison system. These employees provide direct ongoing mental health services to some of the most dangerous people. They also help evaluate readiness for release from incarceration. Any effort to outsource psychological services in the state prisons puts both our communities and the prison workforce at risk. The operation of the corrections system is a core government function. I believe this work to be fundamentally incompatible with the profit motive. Any cost savings are likely to be insignificant due to the relatively small number of positions associated with psychological services within Corrections. If you have any questions regarding this legislation, please feel free to contact Hannah Walsh in my office at 7-1463 or hwalsh@pasenate.com. |
Introduced as SB1025