Medical Access for Hardened Criminals

Case Study – Medical Access for Hardened Criminals

Developing and Implementing Groups and Teams

May 5, 2012

This case study will discuss a specific project underway within the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR) located at Corcoran State Prison where a new building is being constructed to increase availability of medical bed space for inmates. Located on the southwest portion of the Corcoran State Prison facility near Visalia, CA, construction activity broke ground in the fall of 2011. This study will also examine the roles that my procurement team and I contribute to this project and the importance of doing it well.

Facts

My procurement unit is responsible for the acquisition of construction materials and products that are needed for the added infrastructure throughout the duration of the project. The added challenge is that the goal of this new building is to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification (which will be discussed in more detail). This certification process was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to set a benchmark for design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings through sustainable design guidelines.

The challenges often faced in my CDCR career within a procurement operation is conforming to a strict budget as California continues to emerge from a multi-year cash crisis while at the same time to remain in compliance under federal receivership. This entity was designated by the court for overseeing the development of adequate medical care facilities and increasing bed space for inmates to alleviate overcrowding at CDCR institutions throughout the state. Aside from the oversight, my agency is dedicated to meeting deadlines for related construction projects and ensuring that the appropriate mandates for procurement as delegated to CDCR from the Department of General Services (DGS) are adhered to in...