Does Cherry Health RRC live up to the hype? Our in-depth review scrutinizes every aspect, from the Staff misconducts, hospitality, arrival to discharge, and the data breech that left 185,000 individuals vulnerable. We'll uncover the truth and help you determine if this facility is worth your time and money. Cherry Health is currently not listed on the BOP RRC Contract list. We also will discuss some of the staff who have been arrested in the past, and what actual employees say about working here.
Cherry Health, a healthcare provider in Michigan, has faced several controversies in recent years. In 2021, a case coordinator at the Grand Rapids facility was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting an inmate. This incident raised serious concerns about patient safety and security within the organization. Furthermore, Cherry Health came under scrutiny in 2020 when it was revealed that staff members had participated in a staged line of cars for a CBS News segment on COVID-19 testing. This incident, which critics described as an attempt to exaggerate the crisis, drew criticism and calls for an investigation into the misuse of taxpayer funds. Adding to these challenges, Cherry Health experienced a significant data breach in late 2023/ early 2024, compromising the personal information of nearly 185,000 patients. This breach exposed sensitive data such as names, Social Security numbers, addresses, and health insurance information, raising concerns about patient privacy and the security of the organization's systems.
Arrival & Intake-- Upon arriving at this facility, you must undergo a breathalyzer and urine test. Recent policy change requires you to take your coat and shoes off prior to processing. All individuals will be subject to a mandatory seven-day lockdown. During this period, you are prohibited from shopping, job hunting, having visitors, or engaging in any activities. This serves as your orientation period. There are approximately 30 different documents you will have to sign.
You will be assigned a case manager, and within two weeks, you will meet someone from the United States Probation Office. After 30 days you will see PRT, which is the Program Review Team. Everyone must wear a tether connected to a cell phone provided to you. The only exception to this rule are those who are under the custody of the United States Probation Department, and not in RRC or home confinement custody.
Monitoring/Tether -- You are monitored by three separate entities: (1) The Federal Bureau of Prisons, (2) The United States Probation Office, and (3) Cherry Health, Inc. If you are in a halfway house or under home confinement (not USPO), you are still considered "incarcerated" and under the authority of the United States Attorney General. This status remains until your release date, as shown on www.bop.gov/inmatelocator. This means the BOP has the final authority on all matters. There are two different types of tethers used at Cherry Health Detroit.
Cell Phones -- This phone offers limited internet access, unlimited texting, and calling. Yes, all activities are monitored by three different entities. However, remarks are seldom made regarding your conversations or contacts, unless involving a female resident. The cell phones have poor reception and are often difficult to hear through. It's also often hard for others to hear you. No other cell phones are allowed inside or outside the building without prior approval from the case manager. The phones do not always ring, complicating job searches.
Accountability checks occur every four hours. Regardless of your location, you must call in every four hours. When you leave on a pass, you must call upon arrival and again when departing that location.
You cannot download any apps, including Google Maps, so if you do not know the area you are going to have to print it out from inside the facility, if the printer works that day. Your other option is to buy a GPS for your vehicle if you have one. However, GPS devices are not allowed in the building for charging or to map out your location. All of that will have to be done in your vehicle.
Food -- All food is served cold in a clam shell. You must warm it in a microwave, as no food is served warm or hot. At the end of December 2024, most residents fell ill. There are no ice machines, so for a cold drink, you must purchase from the vending machine. Items cost about $2 to $2.35. Lunch typically consists of what was served for dinner the previous night.
If you do not have a job, eating is considered a privilege. You are not allowed to visit fast food restaurants or others. The reasoning is: “It is a privilege that must be earned by obtaining employment.”
This being a co-ed facility, women almost always eat before men. Women are given an hour to eat, meaning men may sometimes eat after 7:00 pm. Men and women residents are not allowed to communicate with each other.
You may purchase outside food from grocery stores, etc. However, you cannot bring in perishable foods. Your food must fit in a small clear tote approximately 16" x 32". No food is allowed in your rooms. If caught, you will likely face a write-up, resulting in a 30-day restriction to the RRC facility, preventing you from leaving.
You are not allowed to stop at fast food restaurants if you do not have a job. This is considered a privilege no matter how much effort you put into following the rules, finding a job, or other wise doing what you are suppose to do as a responsible adult.
Co-Ed Facility -- All men and women at this facility are federal prisoners. This facility does not house any State prisoners.
Case Managers -- There are approximately four case managers for about 200 residents. All permissions, including passes for shopping for hygiene, haircuts, or other needs, must be obtained through your case manager.
Fire drills – Fire drills are conducted randomly, often weekly, and almost always late at night, around midnight or later. The process of going outside is quick, but you must be patted down and sign back in afterward.
Work -- You are not allowed to work for yourself or your family. The definition of family changes based on convenience for them and the BOP. If your employer is a distant relative, like a 3rd or 4th cousin, you cannot have this job. However, if this person passes away, you cannot attend the funeral because they are not considered "family". If a rule can be interpreted against you, it likely will be. There is a catch, if you write on the application that they are not a family member, and they catch it, and decide to file a report, you can be charged under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 for providing false information to a federal agency. Although Cherry Health is not a federal agency, all documents are sent to the BOP, which is a component of the DOJ, a federal agency.
School/College -- Attending college is permitted, but it introduces new challenges. It allows for home passes but not home confinement.
Arrests/Revocations -- Nearly every day, at least one person is arrested and returned to prison. In October 2024, at least five staff members were also arrested, and a separate incident resulted in a resident's death.
FEDERAL HOLIDAYS -- Regarding federal holidays, there are two options: (1) stay in with no authorized passes, and the computer room will be closed; or (2) have your home pass approved in advance (not the same as home confinement).
To qualify for home passes at Cherry Health LLC, you must be eligible for 12-hour home passes. Eligible residents can choose between a 5-hour pass plus travel time or a 12-hour pass on the weekend if the holiday is on a weekday. Residents eligible for 36-48 hour home passes can adjust their hours to include the holiday. Clinical staff do not work on federal holidays, so residents must submit all passes for the holiday week by the previous week.
WORK & HOME PASSES -- Residents on a home pass must return to the center to sign in properly on the home pass before signing out to work. Going directly from a home pass to work is not allowed. Not adhering to this rule typically results in an incident report for escape, leading to the resident's arrest.
Employment at Cherry Health RRC faces many challenges, such as constantly changing rules. Rules can change daily, vary by staff member, or result from policy changes. For instance, a new rule required all residents to be in the RRC by 6:00 pm on 12/31/24, regardless of their work commitments, risking job loss if not complied with.
If a job meeting or a probation officer requires your presence, but permission to leave is denied, you cannot leave. The potential loss of your job is disregarded, even if you would return in time for the meeting or discussion.
MAIL --
All mail must be delivered directly to residents without inspection, but packages must be opened and inspected in front of the resident, who must reveal the contents. You don't need to disclose what you're mailing unless you intend to visit the post office. In such cases, you may need to justify your outing with details like the item being mailed, its urgency, and whether the pass requires four hours, despite not actually requesting that time. Being tracked via phone GPS and tether GPS is irrelevant.
Mail procedures vary by staff member, leading to inconsistencies and favoritism. Not all staff engage in this behavior, but some do.
SMOKE BREAKS -- Residents may smoke outside while on passes or at work. The facility provides a small outdoor area for smoking during designated times set by administration, totaling about three to four breaks daily.
These limited smoke breaks offer little fresh air for non-smokers, who often complain about the lack of smoke-free air. While this concern is acknowledged, no changes have been made. Staff may allow residents to walk to their vehicles if not excessive, but they will be wanded upon return.
Due to the high number of smokers and limited breaks, coupled with frequent lock-ins, bathrooms often remain filled with smoke. This poses no issue for smokers but is problematic for non-smokers and those with health concerns. The majority of smokers in jails, prisons, and halfway houses are perceived very selfish and disrespectful individuals. They only think and care about smoking their cigarettes. They do not care about someone else's health, religion, or being a man or woman. They will light up in bathrooms, stalls, showers, and other common areas that non-smokers have to go into. It does not matter that it may affect someone else's health, religion, or personal preference or that there are rules against it. For those that choose to smoke in these common areas have a complete disregard for others. When its so easy to disregard other basic rights of others then how easy is it to disregard other laws or other rights of the people? Just as they have the right to smoke another person has a right to be free from smoke.
Staff Misconduct & Reviews -- There are several staff reviews on Indeed from current and former Cherry Health Employees. You can read them here. In summary, The Grand Rapids division is a good place to work, but the wrong people are in charge throughout. The company implements major structural changes without notice and frequently reassigns staff. This results in some individuals being responsible for tasks they aren't qualified to handle. Management and the company lack organization, fail to communicate with each other or the relevant staff, and the core of the company is deteriorating due to unqualified or uninformed managers.
The summary of the Detroit Division reveals that management was highly disorganized, resulting in constant confusion and uncertainty among employees. Communication was nearly absent, with essential information either withheld or shared at the last minute, causing unnecessary stress and missed deadlines. The work environment was toxic and demoralizing, as colleagues were set against each other, creating a competitive rather than collaborative atmosphere. The workload was excessively high, with no consideration for work-life balance. Furthermore, the company's lack of concern for employee well-being was evident, with no opportunities for growth or professional development. To make things worse, compensation was significantly below industry standards, providing no incentive to endure the daily challenges. Overall, my experience at Cherry Health was a complete disaster, and I strongly advise anyone considering a job here to reconsider. Save yourself the misery and seek better opportunities elsewhere.
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