SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Southern Illinois University School of Medicine will provide health care at two state prisons in a test that could expand statewide and which could provide answers for a troubled, $180 million-a-year medical program for 40,000 inmates, officials said Monday.

SIU aims to have medical teams by summer at prisons in Lincoln and Pinckneyville and to add teams next year at two more lockups in what dean and provost Jerry Kruse said is in keeping with the school’s mission as well as an economic expansion opportunity.

“We plan to make a go with this long-term. We’re pretty confident of success,” said Kruse, adding that he believes the efficiencies the school can bring to bear can save money.

The Illinois Department of Corrections said it’s eager to see SIU’s impact. But It’s unclear how possible future expansion would affect Corrections’ private-vendor contract with Pittsburgh-based Wexford Health Sources, whose 10-year, $1.4 billion deal expires next year.