Prison Healthcare Expenses and Budget

Sheila Simms
350 Rowe Boulevard
Annapolis, MD 21401

Under the Maryland Public Information Act Title 4, I am requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of the following public records:

• Active contracts with third-party vendors exceeding $50,000 for medical services that are provided to individuals in the custody of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS)
• Proposed contracts with third-party vendors exceeding $50,000 for medical services that are provided to individuals in the custody of the (DPSCS)
• The enacted (DPSCS)budget for fiscal year 2021
• A list of all medical institutions external to the (DPSCS) which provide inpatient and outpatient services to the individuals in DPSCS custody

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filed electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not. However, we respectfully request a waiver of these fees as we are affiliated with an educational or noncommercial scientific institution, and this request is made for a scholarly or scientific purpose and not for a commercial use.

The Maryland Public Information Act requires a response to this request within 30 days. If access to the records I am requesting will take longer than this amount of time, please contact me with information about when I might expect copies or the ability to inspect the requested records.

If you deny any or all of this request, please cite each specific exemption you feel justifies the refusal to release the information and notify me of the appeal procedures available to me under the law.
Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.

Sincerely,

Forrest Behne
COVID Prison Project

Office: (919) 391-7962
340 MacNider Hall | Campus Box 7240
333 South Columbia Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7240