Another death occurred at the Allegheny County Jail last month, the 20th death since April 2020. The absence of health care staff is a major reason why the rate of death at our jail is so high. There are 94 vacancies for health care staff.

Recently, a job satisfaction survey was completed by our jail health care staff with a 79% response. Front-line staff are saying that a significant factor concerning why the turnover is so high is because front-line staff are forced to perform duties that violate their licensure protocols. Jail administration denies this.

In essence, health care staff’s licensure is their livelihood. A violation on their record can affect their current job security, their pay and future job prospects.

The Social Work State Board of Licensing refuses to rule on allegations of licensure violations from a survey, ruling only on actual cases.

We have a situation where a state board is unable to intervene in a case where a health care staffing crisis is significantly affecting the exorbitantly high death rates at our jail.

Our state representatives and the Jail Oversight Board need to intervene. The survey brought the front-line staff to the table. Now it is time for our state government and county officials to provide support and guidance to our jail health care staff who have the incredibly burdensome task of providing health care in the midst of a staffing crisis.

John Kenstowicz

Morningside

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