BOISE, Idaho — Idaho Department of Correction officials on Wednesday dramatically scaled back their assessment of problems encountered when they took over the running of the state’s largest prison from Corrections Corporation of America this month.
IDOC division chief Shane Evans had told the state Board of Correction last week that CCA failed to leave behind a promised 8-day supply of medication for inmates, and a health care provider had to ship $100,000 worth of medication overnight just to reach the minimum amount needed at the facility.
But in a follow-up meeting Wednesday, Evans said the cost of the missing drugs was actually only about $8,800 and there was only a verbal agreement that the meds would be left behind.
CCA spokesman Steve Owen didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. But earlier this week, he cast doubt on IDOC’s claims and said they were without merit, noting that CCA’s total monthly cost for inmate medications was below $100,000, and so IDOC’s original figure didn’t make sense.
IDOC declined to respond Monday when The Associated Press asked for any evidence supporting the $100,000 figure.
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