The union representing Hartford, Conn.-based UConn Health's pharmacists and technicians requested an injunction to stop the state Department of Correction from switching pharmaceutical providers until the change is reviewed by a judge, according to the Connecticut Post.
The Connecticut Department of Correction decided to privatize pharmaceutical services in state-run prisons, separating from UConn Health in July 2018.
As a result of that decision, nearly a dozen pharmacists and 10 other state employees were issued layoff notices and are set to lose their jobs Sept. 30.
The union filed an injunction after Department of Correction Commissioner Rollin Cook failed to fulfill an Aug. 7 Freedom of Information Act request seeking details about the private company.
While the Department of Corrections said a private company will take over for UConn Health, the agency reportedly has not released any information on the company set to take over.
State law requires the corrections agency to do a cost analysis and outline a business plan to justify privatizing the service. Karen Martucci, the Department of Correction's director of external affairs, said that information can't be made public until a contract is officially signed.
The union is asking a judge to review the decision by the agency to choose the private company to ensure they followed all state laws, and to not allow the transition or layoffs to occur until that can be confirmed.
William Garrity, president of the union, said the injunction is a matter of public safety, since if a judge finds the agency did not follow state law in choosing the private company, it's unclear who would administer pharmaceutical services to the state's prisons.
No date is currently set for a judge to review the union's request for an injunction.