Physician Correctional denies responsibility in case of released inmate who killed woman

Ivette Joan Meléndez Vega

By The Star Staff

Physician Correctional (PC) Director of Administration and Operations Bárbara Méndez expressed surprise at the inclusion of the company in a $41 million lawsuit filed by the family of Ivette Joan Meléndez Vega, who was slain by an inmate, Hermes Ávila Vázquez, who had been granted conditional release on medical grounds.

“We are surprised to have been included in the lawsuit, considering that no forum that has investigated the case has identified any fault on the part of our company,” Méndez said in a written statement.

She said investigations conducted by the island Senate, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DCR) have not established negligence on the part of PC, and have confirmed that the company complied with its contract.

Méndez said Ávila Vázquez’s diagnosis of paraplegia was confirmed by 52 doctors, including professionals from PC, the State Insurance Fund Corp. and the company Correctional Health Services. The diagnosis was what motivated the consideration of the extended pass by the DCR.

The official stressed that PC does not have the authority to release inmates and that its role is limited to clinical evaluations required under contract. She added that PC and its lawyers will engage with the judicial process while reaffirming its commitment to legality and the health of the correctional population.