Spokane County facing unfair labor practice complaints following decision to expand agreement with company providing care to detainees

Spokane County is under scrutiny for alleged unfair labor practices following the extension of its contract with NaphCare, a private healthcare provider that has served jail inmates since 2017. The county commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the multimillion-dollar contract, which now includes behavioral health services previously managed by county employees, resulting in job losses for ten staff members. Union representative Greg Beeman stated that the county failed to engage in meaningful negotiations prior to this decision, filing multiple grievances to address these issues. CEO Scott Simmons explained that the county did not receive responses to its initial request for proposals and subsequently consulted with the National Commission on Correctional Health Care for best practices. The new contract is set to begin on April 1, raising concerns about its financial impact amid anticipated budget deficits.

The union's complaints reflect broader tensions regarding the privatization of public services and the management of inmate healthcare. As the county prepares for the transition, questions remain regarding the future employment of displaced workers. This situation underscores the ongoing debate over public versus private service delivery in correctional facilities.