Armor Correctional Health Services Crisis Management
Challenge:
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Due to a false and highly sensational news story released by the attorneys of an arrested young woman who claimed she was denied a post-rape medication, Armor Correctional Health Services was barraged by an unrelenting media assault and backlash. This controversial news topic skyrocketed to top national news shows such as “Nancy Grace” on CNN and in national newspapers across the country. ECA represented Armor to the media, the community and to both pro-choice/pro-life activists.
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A 21-year-old college student claimed that she was raped as she was leaving the Gasparilla parade near downtown Tampa. She called police and they took her to a clinic where she was prescribed the “morning-after” pill. She took her first dose of the medication and was then arrested after officers found out that she had an outstanding warrant related to a grand theft charge from four years prior.
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While in jail, the woman was supposed to have received the second dose of her medication after 12 hours, but due to a mix-up, the nurse on duty did not give it to her. Originally, it was reported that the nurse refused to dispense the medication because it was against her religion. Later, after an extensive and thorough investigation, it was revealed by the Sheriff’s office that the reason the nurse had denied the medication was because she was never informed about it, not because of religious beliefs, as previously reported.
Approach:
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Due to federal health regulations, Armor was restrained from revealing most details about this case regarding the woman’s medical status. This only made it more challenging for ECA to satisfy the media’s insistence of getting Armor’s side of the story.
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ECA worked round-the-clock to serve local and national media outlets seeking information about this story. A 24-hour hotline was setup so that reporters could find out the latest information about the developing case.
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The firm worked closely with Armor Correctional Health Services to develop a strategy and to prepare a media statement that would clear Armor of this negative controversy.
Results:
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After the Sheriff’s announcement that the Armor nurse never refused the medicine due to religious beliefs, the media attention slowly died down. This local story lost all of its controversial national appeal in a matter of three days.
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ECA successfully represented Armor Correctional Health to the media and provided a positive image during this highly disputed news story. Despite the negative and often vehement media reaction, Armor retained its reputation for providing quality and respected health care to correctional facilities across the United States.
