Nassau inmate dies while in custody

Another inmate at the Nassau County Jail died while in custody, and the latest death is renewing concerns about health care for inmates at the facility. According to the Sheriff's Department, the 63-year-old

News 12 Staff

Mar 25, 2016, 6:25 AM

Updated 3,240 days ago

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Another inmate at the Nassau County Jail died while in custody, and the latest death is renewing concerns about health care for inmates at the facility.
According to the Sheriff's Department, the 63-year-old inmate died at Nassau University Medical Center after being examined by jail medical personnel. It marks the third death this year under the care of Armor Correctional Health Services.
Armor is a private company hired by the county to handle medical care at the jail, and a report by the state Commission of Correction found Armor to have a pattern of neglectful inmate care.
Dr. Dean Hart, of Long Island Citizens for Good Government, says there have been several complaints about poor medical care at the facility. His watchdog group is calling for a federal investigation into the medical treatment and conditions at the jail.
The deaths of inmates under Armor's care prompted Nassau Legislator Laura Curran to call on the county to look at hiring another company to take care of inmate's medical needs. She says she's also asking the Sheriff's Department to see if Armor is complying with the terms of its contract with the county.
A spokesperson for Armor told News 12 that the company cannot comment on the deceased inmate's health due to medical privacy laws.
In the meantime, a county task force of health officials has been formed to review Armor's medical treatment. The state attorney general's office is also investigating.