Correctional Healthcare Partners (CHP) is proud to be featured in the November/December 2025 edition of Correctional News, where our work in San Diego County is highlighted as an example of how empathy, ethics, and efficiency can elevate correctional healthcare. With CHP participating in this year’s CSSA Corporate Partner Events, the article offers timely insight into how thoughtful partnerships are transforming outcomes for incarcerated individuals across California. At our core, CHP believes that every individual in custody deserves care that reflects dignity, respect, and a community-standard approach. As the article notes, counties like San Diego face increasingly complex medical, mental health, and substance-use disorder needs among their incarcerated populations. These challenges require both clinical excellence and a deeply human-centered philosophy.
Meeting Complex Needs with an Ethical Foundation In the feature, San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez underscores the difficulties counties face as they work to diagnose and stabilize individuals whose medical needs often go untreated in the community. Our partnership with the County began in 2020 and expanded significantly in 2024, bringing a comprehensive care model rooted in transparency and ethics. CHP’s CEO, Dr. Peter J. Freedland, emphasizes that the company’s culture begins with an “absolute moral obligation” to care for patients. CHP does not see individuals as “incarcerated persons” but instead as patients deserving a community level of care, a mindset that guides every operational and clinical decision.
A standout element of CHP’s model is its direct pass-through billing, one of the only systems of its kind in the field. This approach ensures full transparency for counties, showing the exact costs of care without added profit margins. As Dr. Freedland explains, this model allows CHP to invest resources where they matter most, such as specialized staff, 24/7 access to care, and high-quality clinical operations.
Care in Action: A First-of-Its-Kind Intake Triage Model CHP’s 280 professionals now serve patients in 17 county-level facilities across California and Washington.
One of the most impactful innovations highlighted in the article is CHP’s rapid-assessment intake system, which is the first of its kind in San Diego County. Patients are seen immediately upon arrival, allowing staff to quickly identify medical, pharmaceutical, mental health, and long-term treatment needs. Evaluations that once took up to a week are now completed within 24 to 48 hours, greatly improving safety and clinical outcomes. Sheriff Martinez notes: “As a result of the partnership with CHP, we are able to identify chronic medical conditions faster, and we have seen a lower in-custody death rate the last two years.”
— Sheriff Kelly Martinez, San Diego County
Expanding Behavioral Health and Substance Use Treatment The article also outlines CHP’s increased focus on mental health and substance-use disorder treatment, which are two areas of urgent need in correctional settings. Dr. Freedland explains that the majority of incarcerated individuals face untreated mental health challenges, which makes early and consistent intervention critical. CHP is partnering with San Diego County to build one of the largest medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs in the nation, creating a dedicated department staffed with psychiatrists, mental health professionals, and pharmacists. This work is designed to reduce withdrawal risks, stabilize patients early, and support long-term recovery.
Additionally, CHP continues to expand primary-care nursing inside housing units. This shift promotes continuity of care, familiarity, and more efficient workflows for both staff and patients. A Commitment to Thoughtful Growth CHP is exploring expansion into additional county, state, and federal correctional systems, always with caution and intentionality. Dr. Freedland stresses that maintaining quality of care will always outweigh the pace of growth.
“We have expanded rapidly,” he explains, “but we are doing it cautiously because we want to maintain our high level of service.”
This measured approach reflects CHP’s philosophy. Lead with ethics, follow the data, and prioritize patient outcomes above all else.
Source: www.correctionalnews.com
Looking Ahead to CSSA
CHP looks forward to connecting with California’s sheriffs during the CSSA Corporate Partner Events, which include golf, the reception, and the hosted dinner. As conversations throughout the week center on improving care, strengthening operations, and reducing risk, the insights shared in this feature reflect the heart of CHP’s purpose: Compassion, clarity, and clinical excellence in every correctional setting we serve.
