By Rachael Jackson
Orlando Sentinel
VOLUSIA COUNTY — The Volusia County Council extended a $7.7 million contract of a controversial jail health company Thursday but changed the terms to require that a different, local provider be used to handle mental-health issues. Tennessee-based Prison Health Services has been treating Volusia County inmates since 2005, but came under fire after several lawsuits alleged that mental-health patients had received poor care or were denied medications. Daytona Beach-based Act Corp. likely will take over mental-health services before Jan. 1.
Copyright 2008 Sentinel Communications Co.