Sheriff hopes to ‘change culture’ at Shasta jail with new medical service provider

Shasta County lists eight people as having died in-custody during the two years between December 2023 and December 2025. A ninth died in January of this year. That’s a lot, Sheriff Michael Johnson noted, during a presentation to supervisors at yesterday’s board meeting. 

“We’ve had more than our share of in-custody deaths and litigation for medical-related incidents within that jail,” Johnson said.

Johnson’s mention of the county’s history of custodial deaths came up as he advocated for supervisors to enter into a new contract with the Virginia-based company Mediko, Inc. to provide medical services behind bars. Supervisors voted unanimously to enter into the contract despite a relatively high price point, noting that the cost seems less significant when weighed against the expense of litigation related to deaths at the jail over recent years.

During discussion, Supervisor Matt Plummer referred to the increase in costs to the county of the new contract as being approximately $3 million annually, saying he feels the change is worth the cost not only to address litigation expenses but to improve client services.

“It’s important for the public to know that we are trying to make improvements there that will benefit those who do spend time in the jail,” Plummer said. 

Johnson agreed, adding that the selection of Mediko was based on more than finding the lowest bidder for the services.

“It’s based on looking at our liability, changing the culture in the jail, changing the service to the inmates and our exposure,” the sheriff explained.

Johnson mentioned a 2019 jail assessment which showed, he said, that the facility was “grossly understaffed” when it came to medical service providers. According to statements by Johnson and his staff, the new contract will double the number of “boots on the ground” providing medical care for incarcerated people. As one data point, they said, that means about 26 nurses serving the approximately 300 incarcerated people in Shasta’s jail, rather than the current 12-13.

The $25 million contract will become effective July 1 and run for three years, with two automatic one-year renewals, a staff report to supervisors indicated. It requires Mediko to provide 24-7 medical, dental and psychiatric care of those incarcerated at the jail. That care includes medical clearance, Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) of substance use disorders, psychiatric assessments, and 24-7 crisis response. 

Among other requirements, the contract states that the organization must “treat all inmates with respect and dignity in all interactions and encounters.”

Johnson told supervisors, and the public, that updating the medical contract is just one part of the bigger picture of custodial care, explaining that he sees this new medical contract as being connected to efforts on an early-release program he and others are working to bring to the county as well as an expansion of alternative custody. 

“So this is, again, all pieces in place for the bigger picture and the greater good of the county,” Johnson proclaimed. “I hope that we can move forward with this contract, and I hope this will be a game changer for the county as far as liability and for service for our inmates in jail.”

The county’s current medical services contract is with Wellpath. The business, which provides medical services in incarceration settings across the country, has faced increasing controversy related to numerous wrongful death claims.

Johnson said the last time the county ran an RFP for medical services in the jail, Wellpath was the only entity that applied. He’s seen it as part of his job over the last two years, he added, to try to encourage more agencies to apply for future contracts in order to ensure strong options. This time around, Johnson noted, seven entities applied, though only three had prior experience in correctional medical services.

Johnson said that he’s met with the East-Coast based Mediko team on numerous occasions and was impressed by their business model and their care. 

“They have an impeccable record of over 30 years, they have yet to have a judgment against them for their medical services,” Johnson said. 

Shasta Scout’s superficial review of legal filings shows that while there have been a number of wrongful death lawsuits filed against the company, none appear to have resulted in a judgment against Mediko.

The board voted unanimously to approve the contract, but not before Supervisor Kevin Crye shared a statement that appeared to accuse some bereaved families of not caring about their family members.

“People sue the jail and the county all the time,” Crye said. “There are people that have a loved one pass away and have zero contact with their relative but yet, they’re first in line to sue every chance they get. 

“If there’s something where we blew it, we should be held responsible,” Crye added, “but there are a lot of sue-happy people in the criminal justice sector, especially attorneys.”

The latest lawsuit against the county over a jail death has come from the family of Juan Moreno, who hanged himself in his cell in January of 2025 while being held on charges of alleged vandalism, shoplifting, burglary, and other violations. He was still awaiting trial.

According to his autopsy and death investigation report, which were obtained by Shasta Scout, Moreno had a history of mental illness and expressed suicidal statements after being incarcerated. Despite this, Wellpath medical staff determined there was not a need to place him in a safety cell. After Moreno attempted to fight a cellmate, the report said, he was placed in an isolated setting where he was eventually discovered unresponsive. 

His family is suing the county for negligent medical malpractice, among other allegations. 

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